Hello there.
If you are reading this and found your way here, I applaud you. It means that you are looking for an answer. Confusion, depression or anxiety, even exhaustion, is your body’s way of telling you that it’s time to take a look at the cause. Let’s face it. Life is hard and it seems to be more difficult, daily. Our bodies wear out. Our souls wear out. We are all seekers of love: of others, of family, of self. If you’re stuck, let me help.
I’ve been doing this work for 40 years. I’ve served people from all walks of life with job changes, relationship issues, family challenges, depression or anxiety. I’ve learned the only way out of the pain is to face it, until you find the answer. I will never ask you to do something I have not done myself. Why? Because I know there is freedom and understanding at the other end.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in Family Systems Theory which allows individuals to understand how their place in their family has affected their life. I also have been trained in every modality that helps clients find their truth, including Art Therapy, Grief Work, Journaling, Writing, Psychotherapy and Family Reconciliation. I’ve recently worked with ADHD, Autism & ADD clients and their families. I am compassionate, encouraging, sometimes funny, warm and loving. But I didn’t always feel confident in my ability to express my true self: that took some work to heal my own soul.
I graduated from Pepperdine University in California with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Family Therapy. I received invaluable training in Behavioral Therapy at USC Child Psychiatric Clinic and worked at various programs and private practice in Southern California. When I moved to North Carolina my work focused on serving below poverty level individuals and families with In Home Therapy and eventually, again in private practice.
However, the most important training was the journey I took to find my father, which took the first thirty years of my life. He left when I was an infant and my contact with him was minimal growing up. It required an immense amount of sleuthing, and I am proud to say without the help of the Internet, because it hadn’t been developed yet. I literally fought through storms to walk up to his snowy porch in the Midwest and nervously announce that I was there to talk. The outcome was a pivotal healing moment in my life, which continued when I wrote and published a book about my story. I often say to my clients, “If I can do it, so can you.”
There is no magic, one size fits all formula for everyone, but I promise I will stand with you until you find your answers. I understand the process of finding our place in this world and resolving our traumas to be able to live a meaningful life. When we find that meaning, the fog lifts. I know YOU can do it.
I welcome all cultures, orientations, religious and spiritual practices. I like people. I am looking forward to working with you and hearing your story.
I am currently licensed in California, North Carolina and New Mexico.
Warmly,
Bonnie
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD
NM LMFT CMF0204271
NC LMFT 1030