PLAY THERAPY FOR CHILDREN IN HUNTINGTON NY
ABOUT
Meet Dr. Rebecca Bonanno, LCSW
“My passion for helping children started back when I was one myself.”
I’m Dr. Rebecca Bonanno, and I’ve been helping children and families find their way through tough moments for more than 30 years. At Feelings Land, my focus is on supporting young children—sometimes as young as two or three—and their parents as they navigate big feelings, difficult behaviors, and the ups and downs of growing up.
Why I Do This Work
When I was still in high school, I joined my school’s peer support program, listening to classmates who were struggling and offering them encouragement. That early experience set me on a path I’ve never left: creating safe spaces for children and families to feel heard, understood, and supported.
Over the years, my training has taken me from Brown University, where I studied sociology, to Teach For America in Manhattan classrooms, and on to Stony Brook University, where I earned my MSW (2003) and PhD in Social Welfare (2008). I later completed a Post-Master’s Certificate in Child and Family Therapy at NYU (2017), deepening my focus on young children and parent-child relationships.
For 11 years, I also served as a full-time faculty member in the School of Human Services at SUNY Empire State University, where I trained and mentored future social workers and human service professionals. In 2022, I made the decision to commit fully to private practice, where I could devote all of my time to working directly with children and families.
Most recently, I earned endorsement from the New York State Association for Infant Mental Health (NYS‑AIMH) as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist—a recognition that reflects my dedication to giving young children the care and support they deserve.
My Approach
Parents often come to me feeling overwhelmed—unsure how to handle tantrums, separation struggles, or behaviors that don’t seem to change no matter what they try. At Feelings Land, I don’t believe in quick fixes or “band-aid” solutions. Instead, I help families understand the why behind behaviors and use the strength of the parent-child bond as the foundation for growth.
Through play-based, relationship-focused therapy, I help children express themselves and parents feel more confident in responding with warmth and consistency. Together, we work to transform everyday struggles into opportunities for connection.
Beyond The Playroom
In addition to my clinical work, I also serve as a forensic consultant and advocate for criminal justice reform. Whether I’m in the playroom with a preschooler or consulting with defendants, my goal is the same: to make sure every person I sit with has the chance to feel safe, understood, and respected.