Eliana Bonaguro, LMHC, Anxiety Therapist
About Me
About Eliana Bonaguro LMHC, Anxiety and OCD Specialist
I’m Eliana Bonaguro LMHC, an anxiety therapist and licensed mental health counselor specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I work with adults who feel stuck in cycles of worry, panic, intrusive thoughts, or self-doubt—and who are looking for a clear, grounded way forward.
I’m also the author of two books on anxiety and OCD, created to make complex internal experiences more understandable, compassionate, and accessible. Writing has always been an extension of my clinical work: a way to translate what people experience internally into language and images that reduce confusion and shame.
My Approach
I use evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and ERP therapy, tailored to the specific way anxiety or OCD shows up for you. Anxiety therapy is structured and intentional, but never rigid or overwhelming. We move at a pace that feels challenging enough to create change while still feeling safe and collaborative.
Rather than focusing only on symptom relief, I help clients understand:
how anxiety and OCD operate in the mind and nervous system
why certain coping strategies keep anxiety going
how to respond differently to fear, uncertainty, and discomfort
As an anxiety therapist, clarity is a core part of my work. When you understand what’s happening internally, anxiety often feels less mysterious—and less powerful.
Specialization Matters
Working with an OCD specialist allows therapy to be more focused and effective than one-size-fits-all approaches.Anxiety disorders and OCD can look similar on the surface, but they require different therapeutic approaches. I specialize in treating:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (chronic worry, overthinking)
Panic Disorder (panic attacks, fear of physical sensations)
Social Anxiety (fear of judgment, avoidance)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (intrusive thoughts, compulsions)
This specialization in anxiety therapy allows therapy to be more focused, effective, and aligned with what you’re actually experiencing—rather than relying on one-size-fits-all strategies.
Writing as an Extension of Therapy
In addition to my clinical work, I’ve written two books focused on anxiety and OCD. These books reflect the same philosophy that guides my therapy practice: that understanding reduces fear, and that complex psychological experiences can be explained in ways that feel human, grounded, and non-pathologizing.
Many clients find that this integrative perspective—combining clinical training with thoughtful psychoeducation—helps therapy feel less intimidating and more empowering from the start.I offer online anxiety therapy and OCD therapy that emphasizes understanding patterns rather than simply managing symptoms.
What It’s Like to Work Together
My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I aim to create a space where you can talk openly—about thoughts that feel embarrassing, frightening, or hard to explain—without judgment or pressure. Clients often describe therapy as:
clear rather than confusing
validating without being enabling
structured but not rigid
focused on real-life change
Progress doesn’t require certainty or perfection. It grows through practice, patience, and learning how to respond to anxiety with greater flexibility and self-trust.
Telehealth Therapy in New York & Florida
I provide secure online therapy for adults across New York and Florida, allowing you to access specialized anxiety and OCD treatment from the comfort of your home.
If you’re considering therapy and want to see whether working together feels like the right fit, you’re welcome to reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Social Anxiety
Panic Disorder and Health Anxiety
Depression and mood regulation issues
Relationship anxiety and communication challenges
Perfectionism, high-functioning anxiety, and burnout
Emotional dysregulation and chronic overwhelm
Low self-esteem and negative self-talk
Fear of failure or “not being enough”
New York City (including Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and surrounding boroughs )
Florida, including Naples
Education
Hunter College
THE BECK INSTITUTE OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
THE BECK INSTITUTE OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Mood Disorders
Other Certifications
Check out my book:
Yesterday It Rained: A Visual Guide to Living with Anxiety
Available now on Amazon.
Written by a licensed therapist and anxiety therapy specialist , with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), this illustrated mental health book transforms complex treatment concepts into relatable metaphors—empowering you to face fear without feeding it.
Inside, you’ll learn how to:
• Understand the OCD cycle and why compulsions keep you stuck
• Recognize common OCD subtypes—like moral OCD, harm OCD, relationship OCD, contamination fears, existential obsessions, checking, symmetry, perfectionism, and magical thinking
• Use CBT techniques to challenge distorted thinking
• Practice exposure therapy gradually and safely
• Reconnect with your values, reduce avoidance, and take back control
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or feeling overwhelmed by constant mental noise, Quieting the Noise offers a warm, validating, and highly visual approach to coping with OCD. Perfect for adults and teens, this empowering resource is ideal for self-help readers, clients in therapy, or clinicians seeking a more creative and effective way to support those with OCD.
Quieting the Noise: An Illustrated Guide to Living with OCD is not your typical OCD workbook. Blending clinical expertise with emotionally resonant illustrations, this self-help book offers a compassionate and practical guide for anyone struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts.
Written by a licensed therapist with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), this illustrated mental health book transforms complex treatment concepts into relatable metaphors—empowering you to face fear without feeding it.
Inside, you’ll learn how to:
• Understand the OCD cycle and why compulsions keep you stuck
• Recognize common OCD subtypes—like moral OCD, harm OCD, relationship OCD, contamination fears, existential obsessions, checking, symmetry, perfectionism, and magical thinking
• Use CBT techniques to challenge distorted thinking
• Practice exposure therapy gradually and safely
• Reconnect with your values, reduce avoidance, and take back control
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or feeling overwhelmed by constant mental noise, Quieting the Noise offers a warm, validating, and highly visual approach to coping with OCD. Perfect for adults and teens, this empowering resource is ideal for self-help readers, clients in therapy, or clinicians seeking a more creative and effective way to support those with OCD.