Natalie Bunner

For over two decades, Natalie Bunner, LCSW-BACS, CCTP, has been a steadfast advocate for children, youth, families, and caregivers. As the founder and CEO of Thrive Therapy, she embodies a powerful adage from L.R. Knost: "Go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us." This philosophy underscores her commitment to fostering healing and growth in her clients.

Natalie's expertise spans a wide range of services, primarily focused on pediatric clients aged 5-17 and emerging adults up to 25 years old. Her practice extends beyond individual therapy to include family therapy and functional parenting consultation, aimed at strengthening healthy parent-child engagement. Additionally, she offers specialized support for professionals in pediatric-focused fields, addressing mental health challenges and combating burnout and compassion fatigue.

As a trauma certified therapist, Natalie employs a diverse toolkit of therapeutic modalities to best serve her clients. Her approach includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Psychodynamic treatments. This comprehensive skill set allows her to tailor her approach to each client's unique needs, always maintaining a highly relational methodology.

Natalie's journey to becoming a mental health advocate began in Lafayette, LA, where she was born and raised as the oldest in a large Southern family. Her early career aspirations of becoming "the next Oprah" took a transformative turn when she discovered her passion for youth work. This realization led to over 12 years of dedicated service to children, pregnant teenagers, and teen mothers in the custody of the State of Louisiana, where she honed her understanding of child development and the impact of adverse childhood experiences.

In 2013, Natalie graduated with a Master's in Social Work from Louisiana State University, marking a new chapter in her professional life. Her experience spans various settings, from inpatient hospitalization to community-based therapy, allowing her to support people across the life spectrum. In 2020, driven by her desire to make a broader impact, Natalie founded Thrive Therapy, focusing on the mental health needs of children and young adults.

Beyond her clinical work, Natalie is a recognized expert in her field, contributing to prominent publications such as the Boston Globe, Washington Post, Medium, and MSN. She frequently speaks and presents at local, regional, and national events, exploring various aspects of pediatric mental health. This multifaceted approach to her career allows Natalie to not only impact individual lives through therapy but also to contribute to broader conversations and understanding of mental health in society.

At Thrive Therapy, Natalie and her team prioritize optimal care for their clients, with a special focus on neurodiversity. They work closely with families of autistic and ADHD children, addressing challenges such as early childhood trauma, school anxiety, and the impacts of separation or divorce. Understanding the power of healthy connection, Natalie commits to walking the life path with her clients towards abundant life, offering a supportive and empathetic presence throughout their journey to healing and growth.