counseling approach

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Associate

• MSW (Master of Social Work) - NC State University

Sontanna has a background in crisis response, case management, safety planning, suicide prevention and intervention, policy research, program management, and victim advocacy.

She has extensive experience working with victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), sexual violence/assault/abuse and military sexual trauma as a victim advocate.

She previously has worked in the non profit, state government, and federal government industries. Her passion for trauma centered advocacy developed in high school and eventually led to pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from NC State University.

Sontanna previously worked at a local DV/SA dual agency - Sexual Assault Services team supporting survivors by customizing referrals based on an individuals needs post-sexual assault. She also has professional experience working at the NC Human Trafficking Commission where she taught various stakeholders such as victim service providers and law enforcement on detection, intervention, and response to human trafficking.

Most recently, Sontanna was a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA) embedded in a Marine command working to provide trauma-informed response and connection to resources and referrals.

In all her roles, Sontanna provided psychoeducational training on trauma responses with a focus on de-stigmatizing counterintuitive and maladaptive behaviors post-trauma. She emphasizes the importance of community and individual support structures to assist the development of healthy coping skills.

Sontanna plans to use her victim advocacy and crisis intervention background to support clients in a clinical setting with longer term support and care where appropriate.

Sontanna’s comprehensive skill set and specialized training enhance the services available at Longleaf Counseling & Collaboration, where she is committed to guiding clients through meaningful healing, resilience-building, and personal growth.

Sontanna’s work is rooted in a deeply person-centered and trauma-informed approach, honoring each client’s lived experience, autonomy, and pace of healing. She believes therapy should feel both safe and empowering—a space where clients can explore their story without judgment while building the tools needed for lasting change. By integrating modalities like IFS, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, Sontanna tailors each session to meet the unique needs of the individual in front of her. Her goal is not just symptom relief, but helping clients reconnect with themselves, strengthen their sense of agency, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Sontanna is trained in the full DBT model, including skills training and phone coaching to support clients in real-time. DBT focuses on building emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills to navigate intense emotions and high-stress situations.

• S.A.F.E. EMDR: (Somatic and Attachment-Focused EMDR): A specialized adaptation of EMDR that emphasizes nervous system regulation, attachment repair, and resourcing before and during trauma processing. This approach supports clients in processing traumatic experiences at a pace that feels safe and manageable, reducing overwhelm while promoting deeper, more sustainable healing.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS supports clients in understanding and connecting with different “parts” of themselves, fostering self-compassion and healing from trauma, attachment wounds, and internal conflict.

• Motivational Interviewing: A collaborative, client-centered approach that helps individuals explore ambivalence, strengthen motivation, and move toward meaningful change aligned with their values.

At the core of Sontanna’s work is the belief that healing happens in the context of safe, attuned relationships. She brings a person-centered approach to therapy, meeting clients exactly where they are while gently guiding them toward growth. Through a thoughtful integration of IFS, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, she helps clients better understand themselves, navigate difficult emotions, and build a life that feels more aligned and grounded.

• Trauma Focused & Trauma Informed

• SAFE EMDR

• Motivational Interviewing

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (Full Model Training including Phone Coaching)

• Strength-Based Approaches

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)