Coaching, education, facilitation and consulting in the healthcare sector

Welcome to my corner of the web!

Are you a dedicated healthcare professional driven by a passion to help others, but find yourself grappling with self-doubt?

Maybe you're familiar with that nagging feeling of 'not-good-enough', leading you to overwork, avoid delegating tasks, and say 'yes' to everything, which ultimately leaves you feeling exhausted and headed towards burnout.

That was my story not too long ago.

Starting out as an optometrist and academic, I quickly found myself in leadership roles that I felt unprepared for. Talk about a serious case of imposter syndrome! No matter what I achieved, I couldn't shake the feeling of not measuring up. To prove myself, I'd bury myself in work, neglect healthy boundaries, and let perfectionism drive me – which, ironically, led to more stress and procrastination. Burnout hit me multiple times.

But here's the good news – it doesn't have to be that way. Over time, I learned to balance my passion for helping others with taking care of myself. I discovered that a thriving career and a fulfilling personal life aren't mutually exclusive. I'm still on this journey, learning and growing every day, but I've come to realise that I AM ENOUGH.

Why do I coach healthcare professionals?

Imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and burnout are very common in healthcare. That's why I've made it my mission as a coach to help fellow healthcare professionals navigate these challenges and rediscover joy and fulfilment in their work.

My coaching draws from the latest research in positive psychology, mindfulness, and self-determination theory. While I have a solid coaching philosophy, each interaction is tailored to your unique goals and circumstances.

Through my years as a leader, educator, and now coach, I've seen firsthand how consistent small steps can lead to amazing results. I offer my clients a blend of support and accountability to keep them on track towards their personal and professional goals, empowering them to deliver exceptional care to their patients.

I'd be honoured to support you on your journey too.  Let's connect and explore how we can work together towards your goals.

Book a call

What my clients say

“Sonja is truly a very gifted individual with amazing people skills. I was very fortunate to connect with her and her sessions were very insightful.

She will broaden your perspective and she helped me create the tools to empower my next career move.

Her service is highly recommended. She gets five stars!"

-       Daniel V

 

“Sonja is an excellent coach. I could always feel her belief in my abilities and her focus on moving me forward. We covered so many topics and I developed new perspectives to challenges. She gently supported me to complete the actions I chose, to support actual change happening. I strongly recommend Sonja to anyone looking for a coach.”

-       Anne B

 

“Thank you, Sonja for your incredible work and taking the time to help me hone the skills I already have within. You have an incredible gift, your listening skills and advice on how to improve my skill set is amazing.”

-       Anonymous

 

“Sonja is the most impactful coach I have ever worked with. Genius of the craft. Master of the arts. Anyone who allows her in will witness the wonders of transformation.
She is comforting yet challenging, bold yet empathetic... nothing feels forced with her. She has an uncanny ability to draw out deep, actionable awareness.

- Camy T

 

“Sonja's style is warm, open and friendly. She holds the space for your thinking and listens intently picking up on energy, words and at times what you are not saying! I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions.

I have achieved greater awareness of myself, and have walked away with some great new routines and insights to further embed as a way of life.”

-       Tanya C

 

“I found working with Sonja really helpful in managing my busy life and career, and juggling my many commitments as a Paediatric Intensive Care Specialist with those of my partner, a film director, and a toddler.”

-       Dr Greg K


Here are some fun facts about me:

  • I live in Sydney with my partner, whom I met in high school, and our geriatric, very spoiled cat.
  • I have a deep passion for nature, camping, and bushwalking. While I adore Australia, nothing quite compares to the serenity I find in the African bush – it is truly my happiest place on earth.
  • I'm a huge feline enthusiast (some might say I'm a bit cat-obsessed), and leopards hold a special place in my heart. I captured this memorable photo of one in Kruger National Park in 2023.
  • I enjoy merging creative expression with my gratitude practice, which I've been doing consistently for over a decade. Each day, I snap a photo of something I'm grateful for and share it on social media.
  • I'm passionate about self-development and absolutely love collecting books and immersing myself in learning through reading, podcasts, and online courses.
  • On weekends, I tend to overindulge in cheese, and yes, sometimes a few adult beverages find their way into the mix too!

Why do I share all this with you?

To remind you that your role as a healthcare professional is a noble one AND that you are so much more than that. Take time to explore your passions – those things that form an integral part of who you are.

When you flourish, you'll show up more fully for your friends, your family, and your patients.

Thanks for taking the time to read about me.
If any of this resonates, please don't hesitate to reach out.
I can't wait to see what we create together!

Get in touch

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.”
Nelson Mandela

To discuss how Upward Strategy could help you and/or your organisation to strive and thrive