Clinician’s Guide to Enhancing Your Practice | S4 E47

Being a veteran or first responder requires you to put many parts of yourself aside for the service of others. While you are brave for choosing this path, sometimes it's hard to return home, to reintegrate and reconnect with your family, friends, loved ones and even the world around you. My priority as a therapist is to help you to feel safe and supported. As a veteran myself, I understand the necessity of a trusted connection with a clinician, because within that connection is where healing happens. I can promise respect and understanding in a space where you are free to express yourself while feeling supported and protected.
As a clinician I draw on my training and experience to assist other veterans, first responders and their spouses in identifying and tapping in to their inner strengths and resilience. I encourage and challenge them to become a catalyst for change on their own paths towards healing.
Using talk therapy and EMDR, I guide my clients through the most challenging aspects of their service, empowering them to emerge stronger and more confident. I am committed to walking with them on this journey and to show that despite its challenges, it can lead to a renewed sense of well-being and a more fulfilling life.

Hello and congratulations on taking this step to look for a therapist. It can be very difficult to make the decision to seek therapy and then share your emotions and issues with a complete stranger. I consider it a privilege to be trusted enough to have someone work with me and if you do choose to see me for therapy, you will be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. You will also have the opportunity at every session to provide formal feedback about your progress and the helpfulness of each session so that I can help you most effectively.

I am guided by the "Recovery Model" of mental health and addiction. The principles of recovery are extremely powerful, but can be stated simply as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
I use an EMDR trauma informed approach to therapy. Please visit my website for information regarding my approach to therapy and men in therapy. I am also interested in working with other "helpers" - first responders, nurses, therapists, doctors and other medical professionals who may suffer from compassion fatigue.

I’m Bonnie Luft, a licensed professional counselor with a passion for helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of relationships, divorce, and family challenges including Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), executive functioning disorders and nervous system dysregulation.

With a blend of clinical expertise and compassionate care, I strive to empower my clients to overcome challenges, cultivate resilience, and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Credentials

Doctoral Candidate Clinical Behavioral Health
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist
Gottman Trained Couples Therapist
Family and Divorce Mediator
Member of Fairfield County Trauma Response Team

Jennifer Spirito, LCSW, is a psychotherapist who is committed to helping individuals achieve their goals. With a focus on providing a warm and caring atmosphere, Jennifer uses her expertise in evidence-based therapy to help clients grow and make positive changes. She is dedicated to making sure her clients have a safe and confidential space to discuss anything that is troubling them, and always prioritizes their well-being and growth.