Sonja Bandstra
Licensed Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Want to work with Sonja?
Talk with our team to learn more
OCD is misunderstood and much more common than many would believe. I strive to utilize active compassion and empathy to develop rapport with the individuals I treat. Together, we'll develop a strong working relationship. It's important to me that you feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe in our sessions. I hope we'll create a space where you can share your deepest thoughts without fear of judgment. Beyond OCD treatment, my other areas of focus include substance abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, and children/adolescents.
OCD is misunderstood and much more common than many would believe. I strive to utilize active compassion and empathy to develop rapport with the individuals I treat. Together, we'll develop a strong working relationship. It's important to me that you feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe in our sessions. I hope we'll create a space where you can share your deepest thoughts without fear of judgment. Beyond OCD treatment, my other areas of focus include substance abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, and children/adolescents.
Location
Licensed in Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin
About
Clinical Expertise
OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Skin picking, Hair pulling, Nail biting, Tics, Children and Adolescents
Cultural competencies
Agnosticism, Atheism, Christianity
Education
Loyola University of Chicago
Insurance
Plans accepted by Sonja
Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Ascension SmartHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, Curative, Forest County Potawatomi, Horizon BCBS, Imagine Health, Independence Blue Cross, Partners Direct Health, United Healthcare,
Want to work with Sonja?
Talk with our team to learn more.
Get to know Sonja
My personal connection to OCD
I'm in recovery from OCD myself. I was only diagnosed in the last two or three years, but I can remember having symptoms in high school, just living with them and not having any idea what it was. Doing therapy with others sort of feels like going through it myself. I really have that empathy and understanding. I know it can be scary to try something new, and it takes a lot of courage to be able to take those steps.
How I create a safe, supportive environment in therapy
I'm going to do everything in my power to be my full, authentic self. That's really important to me. I've worked for a lot of my life to come to terms with being okay with who I am and not having to hide. You're going to see all of me in therapy, including my idiosyncrasies-my "Sonja-isms," is what I call them. I welcome you to show me all of yours, too, because that's how we're going to have our best relationship.
My favorite part of what I do
I just really enjoy the time I spend with my Members, and that connection with them. I think about them and I look forward to seeing them. I've definitely had a lot of stresses happen in my life, and I've had to learn how to cope, so if I can be that person in someone's life who helps them refocus and improve their life, that's a win for me.
Meet the clinical leaders who manage our training program and support your care
Learn more about our training →
Find an OCD specialist in
All of our therapists are personally trained by our team of OCD experts. It's what sets us apart.