About
Coach Sonja

Sonja Michele Shockley was born and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois in the small suburb of Maywood, Illinois. She grew up in a loving, faith based home. Sonja is no stranger to loss and grief. At the young age of 14 she lost her father. His death was devastating to her family. She learned very early how to smile, hide the pain and pretend everything was okay.

Sonja had no ideal of how the loss of her father impacted her relationships, especially with men. She has had her own share of heartache with divorce and romantic breakups. On the outside she appeared strong, successful and having it all together. But on the inside she was the hurt little girl still trying to make sense of her father's untimely death. When Sonja's mother died she realized she could no longer ignore the pain. She sought out assistance from a professional who taught her healthy coping skills that helped her heal her wounds and release her pain. Her wounds are now wisdom, her pain is a new perspective and her bitter is now better. Sonja uses her knowledge and experience to help people all over the world heal and recover from grief and loss just like she did.

Sonja holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration. 5 units of Clinical pastoral education and a certification in grief & loss coaching. She is a member of CSCPF Center for Spiritual Care and Pastoral Formation. Sonja feels a call on her life to bring hope, healing and transformation to the broken hearted.

Sonja Shockley is an inspirational singer, a motivational speaker, a Hospice Chaplain, and the CEO and founder of Sonja, The Grief Coach, Inc. A coaching business that offers emotional and spiritual nurturing to those who have been deeply wounded and are suffering from the pain and distress of grief and loss.

Her passions are music, empowering women, spiritual and emotional wellness. She loves equipping people with the right tools to find purpose in their pain by transforming their bitter into better.