about me
Meet Dr Sonia Joubert
BA (US), Hons (RAU), HED (Unisa), B.Ed. (Unisa), M.Ed Psych (RAU), D.Ed Psych (RAU)
I am Dr Sonia Joubert, a seasoned psychologist with 33 years’ experience in private practice and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. My practice is in Linden, Johannesburg. I am also a mentor, and life/business coach.
Many of us might have trepidations about engaging in therapy. There are outdated viewpoints which maybe result in reluctance to enter therapy like it is a sign of weakness or “only being for crazy people.” My approach is that mentally healthy individuals do not necessary always have the answers to the problems they might have.
A HELPING hand might come in useful. I aim to make a session with a client positive and reassuring. Of course there is also time for a touch of humour too!
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
– Viktor Frankl
About Dr. Sonia
Life? It is a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs, perhaps more so in the immensely difficult and challenging times we live in. Curveballs land in our laps and we must make sense of these to not only survive, but also to thrive! It is my life purpose to guide my clients to find solutions for a variety of life challenges with knowledge, compassion, empathy and understanding.
What enhances my therapeutic ability is that I do not only have book knowledge, but also extensive life experience. I can personally relate to many of the issues my clients bring to the table. I am open-minded and a keen scholar. I believe it is my responsibility to keep up to date with the latest trends in my profession.
I firmly believe that pain and suffering is a call to meaning. Without it we cannot develop and stretch our dimensions as well as our depth. I subsequently engaged in therapy myself with wise mentors and psychologists over the years. We explored my emotional wounds which we all have to some degree even if we are unaware of this. I discovered how to heal these; I learnt how to derive lessons from them. This enhanced my existence as a human being.
Sharing a tiny story of my own life journey here and there when applicable and with utmost discretion, has encouraged and inspired many, many clients over the years with the thought that “If she could do this, so can I.” For me my client’s breakthroughs, personal development and subsequent growth are golden and magical moments and provide therapeutic highlights for my client/s and I.
Are you thinkingfit?
WE CAN ALL FLY!
“The eagle gently coaxed her offspring towards the edge of the nest. Her head quivered with conflicting emotions as she felt her babies resistance to her persistent nudging to fly. ‘Why does flying have to begin with the fear of falling?’ she thought. The ageless question was still unanswered for her.
As in the tradition of the species, her nest was located high on the shelf of a sheer rock face. Below there was nothing but air to support her babies wings. ‘Is it possible that this time it will not work?’ she thought. In spite of her fears, she knew it was time. Her parental mission was all but complete. There remained one final task-the push.
The eagle drew courage from an innate wisdom. Until her children discovered their wings, there was no purpose to their lives. Until they learnt to soar, they would fail to understand the privilege it was to be born and eagle. The push was the greatest gift she had to offer. It was her supreme act of love. And so one by one she pushed them, and they flew!”
– David McNally
There was something the fledglings didn’t know when they yielded to their mother’s final push. She was wise and very, very caring of her chicks. It meant that she would not stretch them beyond what was within their ability to do. She also understood that not all her babies were the same and that some would have more difficulty with the daunting task…
As the eagle’s offspring left the nest, she watched them like a hawk. She was quick to notice when a little one was having difficulties and started falling. Calmly she took flight and positioned her right underneath her baby. He was on a safe ride right back to the nest! Mother did not give up on him. Again and again, he was pushed to the edge of the nest… And then and then? HE PROUDLY FLEW and winked at his mother as he took a turn!
Mama eagle’s example is a beautiful template of what could ideally happen during a therapeutic journey. With empathy and care I give my best to assist my clients to discover new, yet perhaps unchartered paths. As a team we explore potential solutions in creative ways. Challenges my clients might experience are delicately handled with utmost support and understanding… My aim is guiding them to FLY!
– Dr. Sonia
WISE WORDS
“I think therefore I am.”
– Descartes
Curriculum Vitae
Resume
Please note that this is a shortened resume version.
Academic Qualification:
BA (US) – (1971)
BA Honours (RAU) – (1972)
H ED (Unisa) – (1979)
B Ed. (Unisa) – (1982)
M Ed Psych (RAU) – (1991)
D Ed Psych (RAU) – (1994)
(The research topic of both the theses for the latter two qualifications was
Creative Thinking in a Problem-Solving Context.)