Hello. I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) who believes in walking alongside you during life's twists and turns. My passion is helping you feel seen, heard, and supported as you navigate through life difficulties, relationship or mental health challenges. Together, we can work through those moments when life feels overwhelming, and find ways to move toward growth and healing. I’m also pursuing certification as a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) because I recognize how deeply connected our mental and physical well-being are. This journey allows me to bring holistic tools—like nutrition, lifestyle changes, and integrative approaches—into our work together, supporting you in creating a balanced and fulfilling life. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you feel empowered to explore your thoughts and emotions. Whether you’re facing a major life transition, grappling with past trauma, or simply looking for clarity and peace, I’m here to help you navigate your unique path with care and expertise.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our sessions, you’ll find a welcoming, compassionate space where your thoughts and feelings matter. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, blending techniques from Client Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Together, we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing, highlight your strengths, and develop practical tools to help you navigate life with confidence. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling truly heard, understood, and empowered—equipped with strategies to overcome life’s obstacles and move toward the life you envision.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I take pride in creating a space where you feel genuinely valued, understood, and supported. With empathy, curiosity, and practical tools at the heart of our sessions, I aim to meet you where you are while helping you move toward where you want to be. Whether you're healing from trauma, managing anxiety, or navigating life’s transitions, my integrative and personalized approach ensures that we focus on what feels right and works best for you. My ultimate goal is to empower you to make meaningful, lasting changes that align with your values and the life you envision for yourself.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am dedicated to helping clients navigate anxiety disorders ( generalized anxiety , social anxiety, phobias) , insomnia, OCD, trauma, ADHD, and mood challenges ( depression, bipolar disorder), during life transitions relationship and communication issues . I’m also in the process of pursuing certification as a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) to deepen my ability to provide holistic, mind-body care. This certification focuses on addressing mental health through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and integrative approaches, recognizing the important connection between physical and emotional well-being. By integrating these tools into therapy, I can better support clients in achieving a balanced, resilient, and fulfilling life.
About Eliana Bonaguro
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a core part of my therapeutic approach because it’s effective, practical, and empowering. I have extensive experience using CBT to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we work to identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and replace them with healthier, more constructive thoughts. In my practice, I use CBT to help clients manage anxiety, OCD, depression, and other challenges by breaking down overwhelming issues into manageable steps. For example, we might work on reframing negative thoughts, developing coping strategies, or setting achievable goals to create positive change. What I love most about CBT is its focus on giving clients tools they can use in everyday life. My goal is to help you build practical skills and strategies that empower you to feel more in control of your emotions and actions, not just during therapy but long after. I use Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to effectively treat conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, low self-esteem, mood disorders, compulsive issues, and anger management adn to tackle the ways in which we sabotage ourselves. By focusing on identifying and reshaping negative thought patterns, I help clients develop healthier perspectives and behaviors that support their well-being.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective, evidence-based approach to help individuals improve their sleep. I use CBT-I to address the thoughts, behaviors, and habits that may be interfering with restful sleep, guiding clients toward practical strategies to restore healthy sleep patterns. In our work together, we’ll explore unhelpful beliefs about sleep, such as anxiety around not getting enough rest, and replace them with more constructive thoughts. We’ll also look at your daily habits, sleep environment, and bedtime routine to identify changes that can improve the quality and duration of your sleep. Techniques like sleep restriction, stimulus control, and relaxation exercises are often part of the process, all tailored to fit your unique needs. What I love about CBT-I is its focus on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes. By addressing the root causes of insomnia, I aim to help you build sustainable habits that lead to better sleep, improved energy, and a greater sense of well-being. In our sessions, I guide clients in identifying unhelpful thought patterns, challenging those thoughts, and developing healthier ways of thinking. This often includes learning skills like reframing negative thoughts, improving coping strategies, and breaking overwhelming problems into manageable steps. What I appreciate most about CBT is its focus on equipping you with tools you can use beyond therapy to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) because it’s a practical and empowering approach that focuses on solutions instead of dwelling on problems. This method helps you identify your strengths and resources so we can build on what’s already working in your life. SFBT is collaborative and goal-oriented, meaning we’ll work together to set clear goals and find realistic steps to achieve them. It’s also an efficient, evidence-based approach, perfect for clients who want to see progress in a relatively short amount of time. Most importantly, SFBT helps foster hope and confidence by showing you what’s possible and empowering you to take charge of your growth and change.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients handle difficult thoughts and emotions in a healthier way. For example, we might use mindfulness techniques to stay present and grounded, or cognitive defusion strategies to help you see your thoughts for what they are—just thoughts—so they don’t feel as overwhelming. We’ll also explore what truly matters to you—your core values—and work on aligning your actions with those values. By developing these skills, you can become more flexible in how you respond to life’s challenges and take meaningful steps toward the life you want.
Trauma Informed Care
My approach to treating trauma is rooted in compassion, safety, and expertise, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way. I utilize Dr. Eric Gentry’s Resilience Program, a highly effective method that helps clients build emotional regulation skills and process traumatic memories in a way that feels safe and manageable. We focus on reducing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming emotions, working together to calm the nervous system and regain a sense of control. This isn’t about reliving the trauma—it’s about processing it in a way that is gentle and empowering, so you can move forward with strength and resilience. With this approach, I aim to create a space where healing becomes possible without re-traumatization, helping you reclaim your sense of peace and well-being.