Dr. Bonacci offers innovative evidence-based treatments, and specializes in the following diagnoses and life stressors:

  • Anxiety & Panic

  • Depression

  • Family Dynamics

  • Life Transitions

  • Relationship Issues

  • Trauma & Bereavement

  • Prenatal & Postpartum Mental Health

Treatment Approach

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT has been widely researched and found to be effective in treating many different mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. CBT focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Your CBT treatment plan would target negative thinking patterns, teaching you how to replace negative/irrational thoughts with more balanced/rational thoughts. When you are able to identify and correct these cognitive patterns, you develop a more positive view of yourself and your environment, which allows for constructive problem-solving.

Mindfulness - Mindfulness is the ability to recognize and understand your thoughts, emotions, and body in the present moment. This can be woven into any therapeutic work, and can be used in response to both chronic and acute stress. When you are more mindfully aware of your thoughts, emotions, and body, you are better able to respond to stressful situations. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT is a type of CBT, with an emphasis on your values. ACT is aimed to help you build a rich and meaningful life, while accepting and understanding the painful emotions that inevitably come along with it. Your ACT treatment plan would address both behavioral and emotional goals, as well as identify your values and motivations behind these goals. Using ACT skill-building, you will learn how to take effective and mindful action towards these value-driven goals.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR is highly effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. It is a departure from traditional talk therapy. EMDR involves reprocessing the traumatic event by pairing it with bilateral stimulation, so that the memory is less distressing. In this way, the brain can heal from trauma, new more positive cognitions and beliefs can be developed and reinforced.

Getting Started

The first step in getting started is to contact Dr. Bonacci via phone (516-522-0448) or email (dr.mbonacci@gmail.com). To answer any questions you might have about her treatment approach, the therapeutic process, or your insurance coverage, Dr. Bonacci offers a free a 15 minute phone consultation. If you are then ready to begin, the next step would be to schedule a 60 minute intake appointment. During the intake appointment, your current concerns and the ways in which therapy would be helpful for you will be discussed.