Dr. Sonia Welch, Medical Director
As the Head Psychiatrist and Medical Director at the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh, Dr. Sonia Welch is honored to oversee a collaborative team of dedicated psychiatric nurse practitioners providing evidence-based, compassionate care. Under her leadership, the team works closely to ensure individualized psychiatric treatment aligned with each patient’s needs and integrated into the Center’s holistic approach to wellness.
Dr. Welch is responsible for maintaining clinical excellence, supervising psychiatric providers. Fostering a culture of accountability, and continuous learning, her guidance ensures that all psychiatric services are grounded in best practices and delivered with empathy, precision, and respect for the individuals we serve.
Her clinical expertise spans a wide range of areas including sleep medicine, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, nutrition, neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, as well as anxiety and trauma-related conditions. Passionate about parenting, relationships, and biological contributors to mental illness, she leads the psychiatric team with enthusiasm and compassion.
Education and Experience
Dr. Welch completed residency training in General Adult Psychiatry then a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Hospital; she continues to maintain board-certification in both specialties. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, San Diego.
As a dedicated psychiatrist, Dr. Welch is committed to evidence-based, compassionate care across the lifespan. She is also an active member of the American Psychiatric Association, as well as Medical Staff at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, engaging in ongoing professional development to stay current with advancements in the field.
Prior to her role as Head Psychiatrist and Medical Director at the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh, Dr. Welch served as Medical Director for several community mental health organizations throughout the Pittsburgh region. In these roles, she provided clinical leadership and strategic oversight, consulting and fine-tuning psychiatric programming to uphold a consistently high standard of care. Her work has emphasized improving patient outcomes, enhancing provider collaboration, and aligning services with the latest evidence-based practices.
Dr. Welch has also worked extensively with local pediatricians through co-located care models, bringing psychiatric expertise directly into primary care settings. This collaborative approach has helped bridge gaps in access to mental health services for children, adolescents, and families.
Hobbies and Interests
Originally from Southern California, Dr. Welch has come to appreciate the slower pace and natural beauty of Western Pennsylvania. She enjoys the region’s rolling forests, which provide a peaceful backdrop to her clinical work and support her commitment to whole-person wellness.
Get Started with Psychiatric Services
Our dedicated team of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, led by board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sonia Welch, is here to support your mental health journey. To schedule an appointment with one of our psychiatric providers, please contact us 412-856-WELL or contact us here.