Meet Sonya Snow | Licensed Professional Counselor | Founder of Relational Choice Counseling, LLC.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonya Snow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
At first, I started my business out of necessity, but it quickly became an opportunity to build something that deeply aligned with my values and vision. At the time, my family and I were moving out of the county where we had lived for years. So, that transition meant I had an opportunity to step out on faith and start my practice. At first, the focus was simply on building my caseload work with clients, but as I began to build Relational Choice Counseling, I realized that God was giving me the chance to shape the practice in a way that truly reflected my unique approach to therapy.

At the core of Relational Choice Counseling is a belief that growth, change, and healing can happen within the framework of a healthy, professionally aligned relationship — whether that is in therapy, through workshops, or even in the way we interact with social media content surrounding mental health topics. I desire to create a space that not only prioritizes relational healing and trauma-informed care, but also offers clients the opportunity to strengthen both their personal and professional relationships.
Additionally, I wanted to build a practice that allows me to work deeply with clients while also offering accessible resources, education, and tools for those who might not seek therapy directly. The mental health field is evolving, and I am now focusing on scaling my practice. I want to future-proof my work by diversifying how I serve people through workshops and educational products.

What should our readers know about your business?
At the heart of my counseling approach is a commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and faith-centered space where healing, growth, and spiritual connection can thrive. By combining evidence-based psychotherapy with Christian counseling, a path to emotional well-being and spiritual peace is offered that honors the mind, body, and spirit in the healing process.

What sets Relational Choice Counseling apart is I integrate clinically proven counseling techniques with Christian principles, offering a compassionate, faith-centered approach that respects and supports each person’s unique path. True healing occurs when we address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. With over a decade of experience, my approach is to respectfully meet clients right where they are in their journey. To maintain an open, supportive, relational, non-judgmental atmosphere that is rooted in empathy and active listening, with tailored strategies to help clients overcome obstacles, grow in self-awareness, and strengthen their relationship with God.

I am most proud of how my business is growing. While one-on-one therapy is still a core part of what I do, I am expanding my work to include workshops, education, and resources that make mental health support more accessible. I recognize that not everyone will feel the need to step inside a therapist’s office. So, I firmly believe that healing cannot just happen in the therapy room—it should be something people can engage with in different ways, whether through learning, community, or self-reflection.

The Journey & Challenges:
Like many therapists starting in private practice, I had to learn, and I am still learning how to run a business while also being a clinician. For most of my therapist friends and colleagues, graduate school does not teach you how to establish, run, or grow a private practice. Private practice does not come with a guidebook—there is a lot of trial and error when it comes to marketing, billing/insurance, business development, and financial sustainability. One of my biggest challenges was moving from a mindset of “I’m a therapist who just wants to focus on providing therapy” to “Wait! I am also an entrepreneur.” Once I embraced that shift, I was able to make decisions that were not just about sustaining my practice but also about strategizing ways to grow it.

I am still learning to overcome challenges by staying flexible, continuously learning, and, most importantly, leaning on my support system—whether that is mentors, colleagues, or books on entrepreneurship. I am also getting comfortable with discomfort. Growth often means stepping into uncertainty.

Lessons Learned & What I Want the World to Know:
The biggest lesson I have learned is that success in private practice is not just about being a good clinician—it’s about being willing to think differently, take risks, and trust yourself because Imposter Syndrome, fear, and anxiety are all real. There is no one “right” way to build a business. The most sustainable path is the one that aligns with your worldview, values, strengths, and long-term vision.

At the end of the day, I want the world to know that Relational Choice Counseling is more than just a therapy practice—it is a space for learning, healing, and growth. My goal is not just to help people survive but to help them build meaningful, connected lives. I want to help people feel empowered in their healing journey so that they can healthily and positively show up in their own lives and the lives of their loved ones.

This is just the beginning, and I’m excited for what’s to come!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Planning a week-long adventure in Atlanta for my best friend would be an exciting opportunity to showcase the city’s rich blend of history, culture, cuisine, and entertainment. So, I would go to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and The King Center and grab food at either Mary Mac’s Tea Room or Paschals. We would then check out the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and probably eat at The Garden Room. We could also check out Ponce City Market, eat at 9 Mile Station, The World of Coca-Cola, The College Football Hall of Fame, and The Battery. Also, go tubing on the Chattahoochee.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! Building Relational Choice Counseling and stepping into this next phase of my career wouldn’t have been possible without the support and encouragement of so many people. Growing up in a Baptist church, I learned that it is best not to call out specific names of people because you will accidentally forget to recognize someone.

First and foremost, I have to give a huge shoutout to the clinical supervisor and to the business and professional mentors who guide me. Your wisdom, feedback, and belief in me and my abilities have given me the confidence to step out on my own and build something meaningful.

I am also incredibly grateful for all of the clients who have entrusted me with their stories and life circumstances. Their resilience and commitment to growth continue to inspire me every day. The work I do is not just about helping others, but it is a constant reminder of the power of human connection and healing. I learn just as much from my clients as I hope they do from me.

On a personal level, my family and close friends have been an anchor through this journey. Starting a business, especially in the mental health field, comes with challenges, but having a strong support system has made all the difference. Their encouragement, patience, and belief in my vision have kept me going, even in my moments of doubt.

It truly takes a village, and I am grateful for every person, resource, and experience that has helped me get here!

Website: https://www.relationalchoice.com

Instagram: @sonyasnowlpc

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sonya-snow-ma-lpc-214b0928

Image Credits
Photography: On Cue Media

Hair Stylist: Olivia King Salon