Inclusive & Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care
Culturally grounded, supportive, and LGBTQ+ affirming therapy designed to honor your journey toward self-discovery, growth, and healing.
Finding ease isn’t always easy.
Sharma Mental Health was born from my personal experiences working in and navigating a system that often felt driven by profit over people and rooted in Eurocentric therapy models. I witnessed and experienced how stifling it felt for anyone who didn’t want to conform to a toxic culture.
I wanted to build something different—a space where people feel safe, understood, and free to show up as their authentic selves without fear of judgment. At Sharma Mental Health, less emphasis is placed on a diagnosis or label and more on embracing your roots and reconnecting to your unique, inherent wholeness.
“Don’t look for the light at the end of the tunnel. You are the light, and you are the tunnel.”
While finding ease may not always be easy, it is possible with the right support. You deserve care that truly sees you and helps you thrive authentically.
We might be a good fit if…
you're brand new to therapy or you've been in therapy for a while but haven't made the progress you'd like
you're experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or low self-worth
you want to improve your work-life balance
you want to improve your relationship with yourself and others
you have a history of complex, developmental, or relational trauma where you experienced difficult relationships with your family or your emotions were regularly dismissed or invalidated
you're a child of immigrants navigating the balance between cultural and family values and your own
you're part of the LGBTQ+ community seeking affirming care
you want to build insight into how your past contributes to your current thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors
you want to learn evidence-based tools to cope with your stressors
you're open to a holistic approach to therapy where we examine your psychology, environment, and mind-body connection
If any of these resonate, reach out for a free consultation to explore how we can work together toward your healing and growth.
Hi, I’m Sonica
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and social justice advocate who has been practicing in mental health since 2015. I work with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma with a particular focus on developmental and relational trauma, children of immigrants, LGBTQ+, and People of the Global Majority (BIPOC).
At the heart of my practice is the belief that healing is a journey of reconnection—to your authentic self and a sense of belonging in the world. Rooted in a decolonized framework, I honor the cultural roots and ancestral wisdom that shape your story. My approach isn’t about “fixing” —because you are not broken. Instead, we’ll explore the protective survival strategies you’ve developed and transform them into self-acceptance, authentic growth, and long-lasting healing. My goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and celebrated in your healing journey.
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Some of the identities that have shaped me: first generation Indian-American, queer 🌈, ADHD-er 🧠, recovering perfectionist, and dog lover 🐶💛
Things that bring my soul joy: sunflowers 🌻, connecting with nature 🌱, days at the beach 🌊☀️, my two golden retriever pups, creating and enjoying art, reading, running, and a warm cup of tea ☕️. These simple joys keep me grounded and remind me of the beauty in everyday moments—a perspective I strive to share in my work with clients.
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Education:
Bachelor’s of Psychology, University of South Florida
Master’s of Social Work, University of Central Florida
Licensure:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), State of Florida
Certifications:
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist
Certified Brainspotting Practitioner
Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist
Certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, in progress
Certification in Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, in progress
Trainings:
Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy
Treating Complex Trauma
Applications of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model
My Services
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Clinical Supervision
I am a Qualified Supervisor for registered social work interns in the state of Florida. Virtual and in-person, depending on location.
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Therapy for Individuals
One on one therapy focused on emotional growth, healing, and navigating life's challenges with confidence.
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Therapy for Families
Focused on communication skills, conflict resolution, and building healthier connection among family members.
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Therapy for Teens
A supportive and judgement-free space where teens (ages 13-18) can explore their thoughts and emotions, build resilience and confidence, and gain the tools to navigate challenges like anxiety, stress, and identity.
Therapy that fits your busy life
Weekday, Weekend, & Evening Appointments
Virtual anywhere in Florida
In-person in Central Florida
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
Book a Free 15 Minute Consultation Call
Blog
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
What happens when the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally refuse to accept who you are? The pain of family rejection cuts deep, leaving behind grief, self-doubt, and a longing for belonging. But healing is possible. In this piece, we explore how to navigate that pain, set boundaries, build chosen family, and reclaim your right to exist fully and unapologetically. You are not alone—and you are worthy of love, exactly as you are. 💛
In a world shaped by colonial ideals of self-sacrifice, productivity, and hyper-independence, many of us struggle with receiving. Whether it's accepting a compliment, receiving love, or allowing ourselves to enjoy good experiences without guilt, we often feel unworthy or ashamed. But what if receiving was not just an individual act, but a radical form of healing and resistance?
Being the “cycle breaker” in your family is both an act of love and an exhausting responsibility. It means that you’re the one choosing to stop generational patterns of trauma, dysfunction, or unhealthy behaviors—whether that’s emotional suppression, toxic relationships, financial instability, or unspoken family wounds. But with that choice comes an immense emotional burden.
Trauma is not just a psychological experience—it lives in the body, passed down through generations, shaped by colonial violence, systemic oppression, and cultural erasure. While mainstream therapy often centers Eurocentric models, somatic healing practices—deeply rooted in Indigenous and ancestral wisdom—have long recognized the body as a site of both trauma and liberation.
Discover how to turn your inner critic from an adversary into an ally. Learn practical strategies to manage self-doubt, embrace personal growth, and foster a kinder, more compassionate inner voice.
For decades, the dominant explanation for mental health conditions like depression has hinged on a single, seemingly straightforward idea: a “chemical imbalance” in the brain. This concept suggests that mental illness stems from too much or too little of certain neurotransmitters, like serotonin or dopamine. While the simplicity of this narrative has made it widely accepted—boosted by pharmaceutical marketing—it’s a reductionist approach that ignores the complexities of mental health. For marginalized communities, the consequences of this myth are particularly damaging.
Being LGBTQ+ and a child of immigrants often means walking a tightrope between honoring cultural traditions and embracing your authentic self. This journey can be filled with unique challenges—navigating familial expectations, cultural stigmas, and the pressures of living in two worlds. But it’s also a journey of resilience and self-discovery. In this article, we explore the complexities of balancing dual identities and how culturally sensitive therapy can help you thrive in your authenticity.
Social media often reinforces unrealistic beauty standards that can negatively impact our body image. But by curating a feed that supports body liberation and authenticity, you can reclaim your digital space and nurture a positive self-image. In this article, we explore how to unfollow beauty standards, follow body-positive accounts, and create empowering content.
In a world that thrives on exhaustion, rest is more than a break—it’s a reclamation of power. By choosing to rest, you challenge the systems that profit from your burnout and resistance. Rest becomes your tool for healing, your declaration that you refuse to be consumed by the grind. It’s not an escape; it’s an act of defiance, a reminder that your worth is not defined by your productivity. In reclaiming rest, you reclaim yourself.
What happens when the natural, understandable psychological responses to enduring systemic racism, chronic harassment, and societal exclusion are wrongly interpreted as mental illness? Pathologizing these responses can further marginalize individuals and obscure the root causes of their distress.
For many of us, the feeling of "not enough" can be a persistent weight that shapes our daily lives. Whether from early experiences or societal pressures, these feelings of inadequacy can deeply affect self-esteem and personal growth. The good news is that building self-worth is not only possible—it’s essential for living a fulfilling life. In this article, we explore the journey of healing, offering practical steps to challenge negative beliefs, practice self-compassion, and cultivate a positive self-image.
Explore how decolonized therapy addresses systemic oppression, cultural identity, and mental health.
Raising children who love and appreciate their bodies in a world filled with unrealistic beauty standards is no small task. As parents, we have the power to challenge societal pressures and foster body positivity by embracing diversity, rejecting diet culture, and teaching self-acceptance. This article explores how decolonizing body image—shifting away from narrow, oppressive ideals—can help you nurture resilience and confidence in your child.
Discover how high-functioning anxiety may be affecting your success, relationships, and health. Learn actionable steps to heal and thrive.
Navigating the unique challenges of being a child of immigrants can leave lasting emotional imprints. The pressure to meet generational expectations, suppress emotions, and balance two cultures often creates feelings of inadequacy and isolation.
Feeling overwhelmed or disconnected? Learn about the Window of Tolerance and how therapy can help you expand your capacity to regulate emotions, build resilience, and feel more in control.
In a world that often pressures us to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, embracing body image as a form of resistance is revolutionary. Therapy offers a supportive space to challenge societal norms, heal from past trauma, and cultivate radical self-acceptance.
Explore how wellness culture has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that sustains capitalism and isolates us from collective healing. This article discusses the commodification of self-care, the ancestral connection to rest, and how reclaiming rest can serve as a radical act of resistance. Learn practical ways to resist hustle culture, unlearn individualism, and engage in communal rest.
Decolonized therapy goes beyond traditional mental health approaches by integrating mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. This holistic framework embraces culturally sensitive practices, somatic work, ancestral connection, and spirituality, offering a deeper, more personalized path to recovery. By honoring diverse cultural traditions and addressing systemic trauma, decolonized therapy provides a liberatory healing experience that fosters true empowerment and connection.
Struggling with anxiety, people-pleasing, or trauma? Explore how somatic therapy addresses the mind-body connection for lasting relief.
Trauma is often understood as the presence of harmful experiences—violence, loss, or neglect—but it’s equally about the absences that shape us. The unmet needs, emotional voids, and missing connections during formative years leave subtle yet profound imprints. These hidden wounds, often overlooked, play a significant role in how we perceive ourselves and relate to others.