Mary E. Bonneson, MS, LPC, NCC has over 15 years of experience in the fields of mental health and wellness. She works with individuals age 7 and above and has special interests in the areas of eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, stress management, parenting issues, grief, adjustment to life changes, diagnostic assessment, and health psychology.
Mary E. Bonneson is a summa cum laude graduate of Marquette University, where she was named “Most Outstanding” psychology major in her Senior year. She is also an honors graduate of Purdue University, where she obtained her clinical training and earned a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Subsequent to publishing her research about crisis intervention, Mary returned to Milwaukee, the “hometown” where she was born and raised.
Mary joined the staff at Family Care Psychological Services in 1993. She is Board certified as a National Certified Counselor, holds a State License as a Professional Counselor, a State Certification as an Advanced Practice Social Worker, and holds a specialty credential as a Certified Cognitive Behavior Therapist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a positive, realistic, and practical approach that teaches individuals how to improve their mental health by changing how they think about themselves and others and by changing their behavior in constructive ways. There is ample research evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy as a beneficial intervention for eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, relationship conflicts, and stress. Mary regularly updates her clinical skills in this method of treatment to provide her clients with a broad range of helpful ways to utilize this type of therapy to change their lives. Mary values the HOPE clients gain from this approach as they are active participants in the change process. When appropriate, clients might read books in coordination with counseling. Examples include the following:
- Mind Over Mood , by Dennis Greenberger, Ph.D., & Christine Padesky, Psy. D.
- Think Straight, Feel Great or You Can Control Your Feelings , by Bill Borcherdt, ACSW
- The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression, by William J. Knaus, Ed.D
- When Anger Hurts, by Matthew McKay, Ph.D., et al
- Boundaries in Relationships , by Henry Cloud, Ph.D., & John Townsend, Ph.D.
- The Overcoming Bulimia Workbook , by Randie E. McCabe, PH.D., et al.
- Your Anxious Child , by John S. Dacey, Ph.D. & Lisa B. Fiore, Ph.D.
Another important aspect of Mary's philosophy about providing psychotherapy is the priority she places on the therapeutic relationship with the client as a vehicle for healing and recovery. Technique alone is not sufficient to produce lasting change. The quality of the therapeutic relationship has a major impact on outcome. Research repeatedly shows that effective therapy occurs within a warm and empathic therapeutic alliance with the client. Mary endeavors to establish that type of alliance. It is expected that a collaborative effort is made to work toward specific treatment goals. Goals are discussed early in the treatment process and reviewed periodically so that there is a definite sense of direction and a rewarding sense of moving forward in progress.
Finally, Mary appreciates the spiritual dimension of life. For those clients who request it, Mary provides psychotherapy working within a Judeo-Christian framework of values and core beliefs. Some clients find it particularly worthwhile to address matters of faith at a time of crisis, pain, grief, or life adjustment. By request, the treatment plan can include meaningful topics such as forgiveness, guilt, grace, body image and self-worth, suffering, prayer and meditation, death, love, and hope. Also at the request of the client, consultation can be made with the client's minister or parish nurse if a coordination of care and support services would be beneficial.
Mary is an excellent public speaker and is available to speak at community, school, and church groups about numerous topics, including: Stress Management, Eating Disorders, Body Image, Depression, Wellness, Spiritual matters, and the Grief/Adjustment Process.
For more information, consult Mary Bonneson's biographical description in Marquis Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare or Who's Who of American Women , the 2006-2007 editions.
