“At the center of your being
you have the answer;
you know who you are
& you know what you want.”
- Lao Tzu
Services
I offer an eclectic approach, to look deeper into your past experiences, influences and how they positively and negatively affect your current functioning. I offer not just validation but concrete skills to use outside of sessions that will help you manage the deep work we will do in sessions.
I offer a safe space so you can slow down, explore and then leave with a clearer sense of what you want and need to advance your life and tap into your full potential.
I am a genuine “tell it like it is” clinician who will challenge and push you to look inward and address the ineffective approaches you may be taking in the relationship with yourself and others.My goal is to help you improve your communication style to deepen and strengthen your relationships.
Family of Origin Trauma Inner Child Treatment
My heart has been with children and families since before I became a therapist, and that foundation continues to shape everything I do. It is a privilege to witness the growth of a child, and to understand that the child we once were never truly leaves us.
For years I worked directly with children and families across schools, homes, residential facilities, and private practice. I trained in play therapy, sand tray, and EMDR attachment work — approaches that build trust and create safety for children to express what words often cannot. I also earned a degree in elementary education, which deepened my understanding that the most powerful way to connect with children is through their emotional world. Feelings are a language we learn as we evolve, and helping children and families develop that language has always been at the core of my work.
That belief carried me into my work with adults. Today, I bring my background as a child therapist into sessions with grown-ups who are ready to explore their inner child and the family of origin experiences that quietly shape their present lives. Unresolved childhood wounds and patterns passed down through families are often at the root of the struggles adults face in relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation. It is deeply meaningful work — and it is an honor to walk alongside anyone who is ready to heal those earliest parts of themselves.
Individual
There are times in life when it is necessary to self heal. If you are struggling in your daily life with symptoms of anxiety, depression, therapy can help you to learn to love yourself and better manage the world you live in. Or maybe you are feeling lost and ready to grow and stretch. The right therapeutic relationship can guide you on the journey of finding more about yourself and the beauty that already lives with in you. Therapy is different that talking to a friend, it is a space that allows for vulnerability. Within the dialogue of a session you can find the truth and sit in the uncomfortable moments that are the birthplace of courage. In individual therapy, what you learn about yourself, is translated to how you interact with others, in home, work, social interactions. I invite you to be open to new possibilities that therapy can awaken in your life.
Couples
I am continually astounded by the strength it takes for any person to walk through the door of a therapy office, but when two people commit to growth together, that courage is truly tremendous.
My work with couples spans nearly 15 years in practice, with over 25 years of training and experience that has shaped the way I show up for every couple I work with. I draw from multiple therapeutic approaches, weaving together techniques that best serve each unique relationship.
I am trained in Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT), which equips couples with the tools to relate to one another in healthier, more meaningful ways. Imago helps reveal the emotional pathways formed in childhood that quietly shape our adult relationships, blending spiritual and behavioral techniques with Western psychological methodologies. Rather than viewing conflict as the source of disharmony, Imago invites couples to examine conflict as an outcome — a doorway to deeper understanding, healing, and growth.
Over the years, I have deepened my training in Gottman Method Therapy and Relational Therapy as well. Each of these approaches has educated and expanded my understanding of what couples truly need to thrive. Together, they inform a practice that is both grounded in research and guided by compassion — meeting each couple exactly where they are.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma.EMDR is a unique, nontraditional form of psychotherapy designed to diminish negative feelings associated with memories of traumatic events. Unlike most forms of talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on the traumatic event itself and more on the disturbing emotions and symptoms that result from the event. I use EMDR throughout treatment if patients are open, I have found that it is a way to achieve a sense of calm even if your “trauma” is not one that falls under the header of PTSD. It has shown effective in creating new neuro pathways so you may heal from old wounds. I am also trained in the EMDR and Attachment therapy that i use with children and families.
Rates & Insurance
Initial Intake $225
Each Session $175
Reduced fee considered for OON
Payment
Cash, Check,Venmo are acceptable forms of payment. Payment is requested at the time of session.
Cancellation Policy
If you do not show up for your scheduled therapy appointment and you have not notified us at least 48 hours in advance, you will be required to pay a fee for the missed session.
Insurance
As an in-network provider, I do accept insurance. Please check with your insurance to see what your plan will cover.
Questions to ask your insurance company:
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Do I have mental health insurance benefits for my family?
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What is the reimbursement for an out of network provider?
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How many sessions per year will my insurance cover?
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Do I need to meet a deductible? If so, how much?
About Nicole
Nicole is a graduate of Clemson University and Rosemont College where she earned her BA and MA respectively in Education and Psychology. Ms. Bonny has been working for over two decades with families in schools, private practice and as a Senior Therapist at Princeton House Behavioral Health; a mental health facility that treats patients who need a higher level of therapeutic care. Many of the children and adolescents she has worked with experienced intense depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation and struggled in the school setting. Nicole enjoys working with the family as a whole and uses an attachment based approach to help the family become more connected and gain healthier bonds. This approach allows children and even adults a space to become more adept at navigating the challenges of their world.
While working within the family system Nicole discovered a passion for couples therapy, the roots of family work. She spent time training in Imago therapy, which teaches couples to communicate in a style to increase their understanding of one another and the relationship they have created. It is a guidepost to finding your own self through the lens of each other. Nicole has helped many couples to improve communicating, listening, establishing healthy boundaries, and learning to handle disagreements in healthy ways.
Nicole has additional post graduate training in therapy modalities such as EMDR, Play Therapy, Sand Tray therapy, and attachment based parenting. She continually makes time to learn more about her field of work. She also enjoys spending time with her own family and children, who do make lots of mistakes and are far from picture perfect. Her humility is an asset in woking with you. She sees that humans are just that human, and if you aware enough to explore, then you are capable of immense growth regardless of how “messed up” things may now seem.
Common Questions
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
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Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
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Developing skills for improving your relationships
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Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
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Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
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Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
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Improving communications and listening skills
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Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
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Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
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Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making
a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it's right for me?People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
Don't see the answer to your question?
Contact me below!
Contact
Valley Park Professional Center
2519 Highway 35
Building M Ste 205
Manasquan, NJ 08736
Tel: (732) 655 - 4777
Nicole Bonny, MA,LPC
Harmony Counseling
Establishing a relationship with a therapist can be overwhelming. I provide a safe, easy space for you to not only share your concerns, and stressors but to explore and begin a life that you can live more fully.