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My approach is for those ready to embrace meaningful change by exploring their life stories, understanding emotional patterns, and learning to live through—not around—their feelings. Emotions aren’t problems to fix; they’re messengers

to listen to.

By gently meeting what is—with compassion for our natural human behaviors—I offer a space where clients feel heard, supported, and seen as inherently resourceful. Like you, I’ve faced life’s stressors, ruminating thoughts, and profound loss. Over the years, I’ve provided mental health services to hundreds of clients from across more than ten countries, spanning diverse racial, cultural, religious, and social identities. Still, I don’t consider myself an “expert" so I stay curious, committed to honoring your individual experience. My practice is a safe, inclusive space for all humans, including those in the Veteran, LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈, body-positive, and sex-positive communities.

Areas I can support you...

anxiety & depression - trauma - self-esteem & identity - relationship conflict - couples -

emotional fluency - grief and loss

KristaBonura_Therapist_Somatic_NJ

Yoga & Somatic Therapy 
Through mindful movement, breathwork, and somatic reprocessing, we work with the wisdom of the physical body to help process emotions and lived experiences at a pace that feels safe and is trauma-informed. This bottom-up approach supports the nervous system in restoring a sense of grounding and presence, which can be especially healing for individuals with complex or developmental trauma.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people process and heal from distressing life experiences and trauma. Rather than requiring you to retell every detail of what happened, EMDR uses structured bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to support the brain’s natural ability to reprocess stuck memories.

 

This approach can reduce the emotional intensity of past events while strengthening more adaptive, empowering beliefs about yourself. EMDR is effective for trauma, anxiety, performance blocks, grief, and other experiences that feel “frozen” in the nervous system. The goal is not to erase the past, but to help you move forward with greater clarity, resilience, and emotional freedom.

 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT informed therapy, offers a skills-based, evidence-supported approach that helps individuals manage intense emotions, build healthier relationships, and increase self-awareness. Drawing on the four core DBT pillars—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—this approach empowers clients to create balance, strengthen coping strategies, and make meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

 

Coaching

 My coaching approach is grounded in collaborative, strengths-based practices that support clients in clarifying goals, overcoming blocks, and taking intentional action. Rather than offering advice, I facilitate insight, accountability, and growth through structured reflection and empowering dialogue.

Sandy Grass Pathway
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