Specializing in EMDR Therapy

You hold everything together.
Who holds you?


For the high-achieving Black woman who appears fine — more than fine — while quietly exhausted beneath the surface. EMDR and trauma-informed therapy designed with your full experience in mind.

"You've mastered looking strong.
This is a space to finally put that down."

— Sonja Malcolm, LPC | EMDR Therapist

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High-functioning anxiety
doesn't look like falling apart.
It looks like you.

You are accomplished, capable, and respected — and still feel like you're one misstep away from it all unraveling.

You've learned to suppress, perform, and keep going. Rest feels irresponsible. Vulnerability feels dangerous.

The Strong Black Woman script has kept you safe — and kept you from being truly known. You're tired of playing that role.

Your anxiety isn't just personality. It's often the imprint of experiences — personal and collective — that your nervous system is still carrying.

You've googled "therapy for Black women" before. You want someone who won't need you to explain the weight of navigating race, gender, and excellence all at once.

You're done with surface-level coping strategies. You want to actually heal — not just manage the symptoms of a life lived on high alert.

"You don't have to earn your way into rest. 
You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support."

You might be ready for this work if any of this sounds familiar

You wake up tired even after a full night of sleep, your mind already running before your feet hit the floor.

You're the person everyone leans on — and no one thinks to ask how you're really doing.

You find yourself overthinking decisions, replaying conversations, bracing for things to go wrong.

You've been told you're "too much" and also not enough — sometimes in the same week.

Your anxiety lives in your body: tight chest, shallow breathing, a jaw that never quite unclenches.

You've tried therapy before, but felt like you had to explain too much context — your race, your family, your world — before you could even get to the real issue.

You've achieved a lot and still feel like something is missing, or that you're waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You're ready to stop managing and start actually healing.

EMDR Therapy

"For the first time in my life I felt like I didn't have to explain why things were hard before I could talk about how hard they were. I came in exhausted and performing. I left knowing myself."


— Former client (shared with permission)

What you might be wondering

Do you only work with Black women?

This page is specifically designed for Black women navigating high-functioning anxiety and trauma, because that is a community I am deeply committed to and specifically trained to serve. If this describes your experience and you're a Black woman, this work was built with you in mind. If you're curious about fit, reach out and we'll talk.

What does "high-functioning anxiety" mean?

High-functioning anxiety describes the experience of someone who appears to be thriving externally — meeting deadlines, showing up, achieving — while internally struggling with persistent worry, hypervigilance, perfectionism, and a constant sense of dread or anticipation of failure. It often goes unrecognized precisely because the person is so capable of maintaining appearances.

I've tried therapy before and it didn't help. Why would this be different?

That's a fair and important question. Therapy that doesn't account for the full context of your life — your racial identity, the specific pressures Black women navigate, the particular shape of your anxiety — often stays on the surface. Additionally, traditional talk therapy alone has limitations with trauma that lives in the body. EMDR is specifically designed to get to what talk therapy often can't reach. Many clients who felt stuck in previous therapy have found significant shifts with this approach.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider. This means I do not bill insurance directly, but many clients are able to use their out-of-network benefits for significant reimbursement. I provide a detailed superbill after each session. I'm happy to help you understand your benefits before we begin — many people are surprised by what their insurance will cover.

What does a consultation look like?

Our initial consultation is a free 15-minute call. It's a conversation — not an intake. You'll have the chance to ask questions, share a little about what you're navigating, and get a sense of whether this feels like the right fit. There's no pressure and no commitment required.

Are you located in my city? Do you offer virtual sessions?

I am based in New Jersey and offer telehealth sessions. Virtual sessions are available to clients throughout New Jersey. Many clients find the flexibility of telehealth especially helpful given the demands of their schedules.

You've taken care of everyone else.
Let's talk about you.

The first step is a free 15-minute consultation — a conversation, not a commitment. You'll get a sense of how this work feels and whether this is the right space for you.

Currently accepting new clients.

Request A Free Consultation

Or reach out directly: (908) 864-6784