Welcome

Therapy for children, teens, adults and Families!

Interested in improving your life? Regardless if you are struggling with trauma, depression, or a life transition such as the death of a loved one or the loss of your job, therapy can help you sort through your feelings and figure out how to best deal with your situation. As your therapist, I am not here to judge or criticize you. I will instead work with you, respecting your cultural and religious practices, to address the needs you bring to our sessions. I will do this with compassion, patience, and confidentiality.

An individual's quality of mental health deeply impacts the longevity of their physical life. Good mental health hygiene enhances life, and poor mental health hygiene can prevent someone from leading an effective and satisfying life. Many people I work with are surprised at how often their physical symptoms are actually caused by mental health struggles! According to Richards, Campania, & Muse-Burke, “There is growing evidence that is showing emotional abilities are associated with prosocial behaviors such as stress management and physical health.” It was also concluded in their research that people who lack emotional expression are more likely to demonstrate inappropriate behaviors. These behaviors are a direct reflection of their mental health.

Emotional support improves physical health and helps prevent mental health disorders. Support systems are a valuable asset. Those who do not have social and emotional support are more likely to endorse mental health disorders. This support can lead to “an increased personal competence, perceived control, sense of stability, and recognition of self- worth, and can have a positive effect on quality of life” (Strine, Chapman, Balluz & Mokdad, 2008).

There are several signs and symptoms indicating a mental health disorder. According to Hertel, Schütz, & Lammers, “Some of the early symptoms of mental illness are related to emotional problems" (2009). People who cannot modulate or express emotions effectively that are encountered in daily life are often faced with such deficits. A study done by Hertel, Schütz, & Lammers tested three mental disorders which are a direct reflection of emotional abilities. “Major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder and substance abuse disorder were all associated with significant deficits to emotional abilities” (Hertel, Schütz & Lammers, 2009). Many people who feel as if they cannot express their emotions turn to other things for a temporary fix to avoid dealing with their emotions. This can even include food.

This temporary fix can lead to more severe problems, often resulting in making the emotional health issue more severe. This is becoming extremely common in our society. Recent evidence from the World Health Organization indicates, “mental illness affects nearly half the population worldwide" (Storrie, Ahern & Tuckett, 2010). Many of the people suffering from mental illness have issues functioning in everyday life. “Symptoms of mental illness and the associated stigma negatively effect people’s self-esteem, disrupt relationships and limit the ability to obtain housing, jobs and an education” (Storrie, Ahern & Tuckett, 2010).

If you are reading this page, you must already be wondering if you or a loved one could benefit from therapy. You have already taken the first step to improving your life! I use several forms of therapy in my work, including Play Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

As we work together, you may find yourself feeling more confident and optimistic. Your relationships may deepen. The symptoms that encouraged you to seek therapy may decrease or even disappear. Everyone deserves peace and happiness; I am here to help you obtain it. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve your goals through therapy.


For more information contact:

Jesilee Bonofiglio, LMSW, Registered Play Therapist

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