Because geese should always be silly.
Anna Bonomi Gay, LCSW
(she/her)
Specializing in kids, teens, young adults, adults
LGBTQ+ folx, neurodivergence, trauma, sexual abuse
My favorite colors are pink, purple and blue, for my clothes, my hair, my Starbucks drinks, you name it.
I love to put myself in a category. I am an enneagram 4, INFJ, I would be either in the Poseidon or Artemis cabin, and I would totally be in Gryffindor house.
I am a mom to an adorable 6 month old, and no he is not sleeping through the night, thanks for asking.
I love to craft, right now I’m working on scrapbooking and having so much fun.
I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism at the age of as an adult and life has made A LOT more sense after that.
If I could be anything - I would be a mermaid. Talk to fish, swim with dolphins, AND no underwire? Sign me up.
Lavender lattes > Pumpkin Spice lattes. I’ll fight to the death.
How I Got Here
Growing up, I found myself struggling a lot, despite having the resources and the loveliest parents imaginable. I didn’t learn until much later that my combination of trauma and neurodivergence made things a lot harder for me. It wasn’t until my early twenties that I felt like I realized who I am, and had the courage to think that if someone doesn’t like it, then I’m okay with that.
Working with kids was never a place I thought I would end up, however through some weird circumstances, I ended up finding my career passion: therapy with adolescents. I love that weird age where you haven’t found the brand of deodorant that actually works for you, your mom will never and has never understood you, and it feels like everyone else has read a book entitled “How to Be A Normal Human” and you never got your copy.
I started my career as a sexual assault advocate, then a therapist at a domestic violence agency, and most recently a therapist and a social worker in middle schools. In each position I learned something new about myself and about the population I was serving. I am deeply passionate about serving survivors of trauma, specifically those who have experienced gender based violence like sexual abuse or unhealthy relationships. I also enjoy working with those who feel like there’s nothing left to live for, the neurodivergent, the queer, and the ones who are deeply hurting.
How I Do Therapy
You don’t go to therapy if you don’t like your therapist. I believe your relationship with your therapist is one of the most important aspects of therapy, so I do my best to make sure it’s a good one. I don’t judge, I embrace the weird, and I question the systems that made you feel like you couldn’t be yourself.
If you need someone to validate you and your struggles, I got you. If you need someone to challenge you to get out of your head and make some changes, cool. If you need to unload and have someone carry the weight of your experiences, I have a suitcase.
Therapy with me is casual. I don’t use the uber clinical mumbo jumbo, I’m more comfortable sitting on the floor, and I’m for sure going to say “that’s so shitty” when you tell me something shitty that happened to you. If I don’t know the answer, I won’t lie to you, we can look it up together. If I’m not understanding, I’ll ask you to clarify. If it’s a therapy gossip day, great, if it’s a trauma day, we can get through it together.
I utilize a few different evidence based modalities in therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Play Therapy techniques. I often use systems and feminist theories in my sessions to challenge unhelpful core beliefs. I see my job as a therapist as supporting my clients in becoming their best selves, and sticking with them as they explore who or what that is for them.
Experience and Education
Degrees
Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of West Georgia
Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia
Licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License #105835)
Certifications & Trainings
Intimate Partner Violence
Sexual Abuse – adults and children
ADHD - Certified Clinical Services Provider for Adults and Children
Child Centered Play Therapy with Neurorelational Emphasis – in progress
Training in CBT, ACT, TBRI, Motivational Interviewing
