SONYA LOTT, PHD
I have been licensed as a psychologist in Pennsylvania since 1991 and have been licensed to practice telepsychology in the District of Columbia and forty U.S. states through PSYPACT since 2020.
Early in my career, I combined clinical work with my passion for teaching. I initially maintained a small private practice and taught part-time at the undergraduate level. After several years, I became a full-time tenured professor and gave up clinical work. After 18 years, I never imagined I would return to clinical work. I loved teaching!
However, after many profound life changes, including the unexpected death of my mother, my journey led me back to clinical practice, specifically to help individuals transform their own experience(s) of prolonged grief (formerly referred to as complicated grief).
It is essential to recognize that our lived experiences are never sufficient to qualify us as an “expert” or a “specialist” in anything. A grief specialist is grounded, first and foremost, in the theory, research, and practice of grief and related conditions such as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. In addition, a grief specialist who is also a practitioner must be able to hold the intense grief of their clients without becoming triggered around their own grief and know how to strategically use their own experiences with grief to facilitate the healing of others.
I am this type of practitioner, and more specifically, I identify as a Prolonged Grief Disorder Specialist. I am especially grateful to have the opportunity to help individuals transform their experiences of grief.
In addition to my clinical private practice, I am an affiliate of the Center for Prolonged Grief at Columbia University, where I co-facilitate continuing education workshops for mental health professionals focused on the diagnosis and treatment of PGD. I am also an adjunct lecturer in the Columbia University Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program.