Nora Buonagurio (she/her)

I have experience working with children ages 4-12 and who may be experiencing behavioral challenges, school issues, big feelings, and family dynamics. I have found play therapy and the expressive therapies to be highly effective in supporting children's self-understanding, worth/esteem, and developing coping skills for when they're outside of the therapy room. I like to involve the parents/caregivers whenever possible and/or appropriate so that they may also support their child's growth.

For those who are feeling trapped in negative repetitive thought-patterns, I have found not only the expressive therapies helpful, but also CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and strengths-based approaches to be useful methods of breaking those vicious thought cycles. Through practices such as Motivational Interviewing or processing thinking discrepancies, together we can establish healthier and more productive thought patterns that can increase and promote your sense of self-esteem/worth.

Anxiety can cause us to freeze, restrict our thinking abilities and block our emotional responses; wreaking havoc in our personal and professional lives. In my experience working with highly anxious individuals, validation and acknowledgement of the anxiety goes a long way. I work collaboratively with clients to formulate an accessible, replicable set of coping skills that can mitigate the effects of anxiety and free up emotional responses.

CBT can be helpful for people who experience negative or repetitive thought patterns that impact their daily functioning. CBT can be particularly useful for those experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and other related mental health experiences. Together we can focus on creating effective coping skills to help restructure vicious thought cycles (cognitive) and initiate more healthy ways of going about your day (behavioral).

Dance/movement therapy is one of the expressive therapy modalities. Movement and creative expression are implemented in the therapeutic relationship to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual. I may invite you to tune into your mind-body connection and deeply listen to your inner wisdom, providing solace and clarity. Dance/movement therapy is not performative and as much or as little movement as you feel comfortable with, is welcome.

Play therapy is a wonderful way of helping children express big feelings, understand their environments, and promote greater self-esteem and confidence. Children who may be experiencing socio-emotional challenges, school issues, relationship or family conflicts, as well as traumatic experiences, play therapy addresses all this and more through creativity; games; art-making; and story-telling. When appropriate, play therapy can also be helpful for adults' inner child.