By Sonya Davie, LMHC, INHC, CMHIMP  ·  Founder, Sonya Davie Wellness

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Some weeks bring you back exactly to the heart of why you do this work. This past week was one of those weeks — filled with meaningful service, community connection, and a little sacred sweat.

From honoring the men and women of the NYPD, to speaking on mental health within faith communities, to guiding women through their very first Twerkasana™ experience, every space I stepped into felt deeply intentional. 

Looking back, I’m reminded how important it is to fully show up for the spaces and people you are called to serve. This week also reminded me that healing takes many forms (YES!) – through honest conversation, supportive community, movement, faith, and finally feeling safe enough to exhale.

Yay! I’m excited to share a glimpse into what this week held.

THURSDAY, MAY 14

30 Years of POPPA: Honoring a Legacy of Officer Wellness

I was honored to attend the POPPA/NYPD 30th Anniversary Dinner — a milestone celebration for an organization that has quietly but powerfully transformed the culture of mental health support within law enforcement.

As a POPPA Clinician for eight years, this evening was deeply personal. Providing emotional support to NYPD officers and their families is work that lives close to my heart. Officers carry what most of us never see. Being a trusted space for them is not just a professional role — it is a calling.

I have to take a moment to honor the woman who opened this door for me.

Ten years ago, my dear friend and classmate Michelle Tégé — a retired NYPD Detective 1st Grade with a remarkable 33-year career and a deeply compassionate Peer Support Officer with POPPA, introduced me to this organization.

Michelle’s own dedication to officer mental wellness, alongside an extraordinary career that took her from patrol to Executive Protection to an international liaison post in Singapore, has always been an inspiration. She saw something in me and made the connection. I am grateful every day that she did.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

“Healing Together” — Back on the Panel at Christian Cultural Center

It was an incredible honor to return as a panelist for Christian Cultural Center’s 2nd Annual Healing Together Mental Health Conference.

This beautiful event was hosted by the visionary Pastor Jamaal Bernard and held under the covering of Founder and NYPD Co-Chaplain, Dr. A.R. Bernard — a leader whose legacy at the intersection of faith, community, and service speaks for itself.

To be in that room, under that leadership, doing this work, was not something I take lightly.

Mental health and faith have long been separated in too many communities, and gatherings like this are intentionally closing that gap. I was also thrilled to share that I am now part of CCC’s new Mental Wellness Ministry, a sacred space dedicated to holistic healing within the church community. The room was full of people ready to receive and I was ready to pour.

SUNDAY, MAY 18

Twerkasana Is Here — And It Was Everything!

On Sunday, I had the joy of hosting my very first Twerkasana class — and the energy in that room was electric.

Twerkasana is the sacred intersection of movement, breath, and body wisdom, where dance becomes a doorway to nervous system regulation and emotional release.

The women showed up with openness, and they left transformed. Hearing them share how much they benefited from this somatic experience confirmed what I already knew: the body holds the answers, and movement is medicine.

Yup… This is only the beginning.

The throughline?

Whether I’m sitting with NYPD officers and their families, speaking on panels about faith and mental health, or guiding women through embodied healing experiences, the mission remains the same:

helping people feel safer, more connected, and more at home within themselves.

None of this work happens alone. I am deeply grateful for every mentor, colleague, friend, and community member who continues to believe in this vision alongside me.

Stay connected for more events, resources, and healing opportunities. The journey continues.