Neuropsychologist
MARCELA A. BONAFINA, PH.D.
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)
PNES are classified as a conversion disorder (or functional neurological disorder) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5), a condition in which the body expresses underlying emotional (and sometimes physical) stress in the form of a somatic symptoms, often mimicking medical disorders.
Dr. Bonafina has worked with patients with PNES since 2012. She trained with Dr. Lorna Myers, a worldwide pioneer and expert in the research and treatment of PNES.
Services
Specialized Treatment Program
Overview
This program is a structured, time-limited, evidence-informed treatment for individuals diagnosed with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), also known as Functional Seizure Disorder. Treatment integrates neuropsychological, trauma-informed, cognitive-emotional, and somatic-focused approaches to address the mechanisms that contribute to seizure-like episodes.
PNES is understood as a disorder of brain–body regulation, not a conscious or voluntary condition. Symptoms are real and involuntary and often occur in the context of cumulative stress, trauma, emotional overload, dissociation, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation.
Program Structure
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12 individual sessions
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60-90 minutes per session
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Weekly format (adjusted as clinically indicated)
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This is a closed, sequential program. Sessions build on one another and are not interchangeable
Financial and Participation Information
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Receipts may be provided for possible out-of-network reimbursement
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Active participation and consistent attendance are required
FAQ
Is PNES “all in my head”?
No. PNES is a real, involuntary brain–body condition. Symptoms are not intentional or imagined.
Do I need a trauma history for treatment to help?
No. PNES can develop from trauma, chronic stress, emotional overload, or autonomic dysregulation. Trauma is addressed only when relevant.
Is this the same as regular therapy?
No. This is a structured, specialized program designed specifically for PNES.
Functional Neurological Disorders (FND)
These experiences are not imagined or feigned — they are your nervous system’s way of communicating. When the brain’s networks become disrupted, it can produce real and distressing symptoms, from movement differences and balance or dizziness problems to sensory changes, speech or gait difficulties, and cognitive disruptions. Understanding that these symptoms come from how your brain functions — not from structural damage — opens the door to compassionate care and evidence-based treatments that can help you regain control of your life
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