Grief and Loss Counseling in Melissa, TX.

Grief is a highly individual process, as unique as the people experiencing it. Everything from our personal histories and culture to personality traits and temperament affects how we experience and cope with a major loss in our life. That said, based on my own work as a counselor, it seems to me there are some common themes in the stories of people who manage to grieve well. We can help you heal through Gods' Word to help you think about and navigate your own grieving process in a compassionate, constructive, and healthy way.

Grief is hard. Grief is natural. Animals grieve. Grief is something we feel deep in our bodies and can be disorienting and destabilizing. Grief brings up questions about who we are, the world, the existence or goodness of God, and purpose and futility of life. Dealing with grief, especially when the loss is traumatic and unexpected, requires a slow and tender space to allow the grief to move through our body and to settle in our hearts with warmth and memory. I am here to help you grieve the loss of your loved one, experience, health , future or even your beloved pet. .

I am trained as a Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy (PGDT) provider by the Center for Complicated Grief at Columbia University. The structured protocol addresses "stuck grief" that is marked by an attachment fissure that causes rumination, excessive guilt, loss of former interests and hopelessness 6 months and longer (sometimes many years) after a significant loss. PGDT is evidence-based and has a over a 70 percent efficacy rate for movement into adaptive grief.

In Grief & Loss Therapy, I'll give you a safe and accepting place to work with the complex emotions that come with loss. Together, we'll work on creating coping mechanisms for handling your loss, avoiding problems, and recognizing the legitimacy of your feelings. Our sessions will also emphasize on your communication abilities so that you may better explain your needs and feelings to others who are supporting you. Also, I want to help you regain meaning and purpose in your life after experiencing loss by providing you with new views and insights. I believe that by going through this, we can find a way to assist you to get past your grief and accept the possibility of a fulfilling future.

The experience of grief & loss occurs for many reasons. Job loss, moving, romantic break-ups, graduation, & death (expected & unexpected) are examples of situations that could lead to the feelings of grief & loss. Many people struggle with the range of emotions & find themselves making unhealthy choices in the management of grief & loss. Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC works with clients to help them establish a healthy path on which to move forward in life.

As an experienced Christian Counselor and ordained pastor, I’ve supported many men through the grief process. If you’re grieving, I will provide a supportive space for you to process your emotions. Because grief is a normal part of being human, I can’t take it away or rush you through it. However, I can help you identify barriers to grief, and help you prevent the grief process from becoming stuck. I know grief professionally. But I also know grief personally. Losing one of my best friends and my beloved grandparents was hard enough, but facing the untimely death of my father was, and is, a uniquely painful experience. If given the chance, I would be honored to help you process your grief.

We will all experience loss at some point in life. Maybe you're struggling through the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or some other painful experience. You don't have to face it alone. For more than 25 years I've supported individuals and families as they've journeyed through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Whatever your loss, I'll walk with you through the grief process to help you heal and reclaim a sense of peace and hope for the future.

Are you undergoing a life transition? Are you grieving the loss of an important person or pet? If you have gone through a traumatic event, you might be questioning everything in life. Do you feel isolated, lonely, unsupported or anxious? Sometimes life can give us circumstances that feel punishing and cruel. This can add insult to injury when we experience stressful situations, grief, anxiety, depression or going through a transition in life. We all need support. I will walk with you on your journey, so you don't have to walk alone.

Grief counseling helps people cope with grief and mourning following the loss of a loved one or due to major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (i.e. job loss or divorce). It provides a space for individuals to work through and process the complex emotions surrounding loss. Healthy grieving results in remembering the loss with a newfound sense of peace, rather than searing pain.

I know exactly how it feels to lose a love one, an important job, or even a dream. Loss is one of the most painful human experiences out there but you don't have to hurt forever. Sharing your pain in a safe setting with someone who genuinely care about you is very healing. Over time you can overcome the pain in your life. The trick to share your story with others who care.

I will hold space, provide resources, and support clients through this difficult process. I believe there is no time limit on how long it takes someone to move through the grief and loss process. I will support and meet my clients where they are and help guide them towards healing in the process. Encouragement to re-engage with life will provided but not in a forceful and or dismissive manner.

My experience working at Children's Hospital of Dallas and Methodist Hospital has helped me to understand that the stages of grief are not linear, but circular. You can be very sad one day and angry the next. Sometimes, all of the stages in the same day. Learn to work through each of these stages as they occur (and reoccur) to move to a place of greater peace. Many look for relief from the feelings- learn healthier ways to engage the process without relying on unhealthy fixes or coping mechanisms.

Experiencing a loss, whether it is sudden or anticipated, can unleash a whirlwind of emotions that leave you feeling isolated and disconnected from the people and activities that once brought you happiness. During a tumultuous period when your world feels turned upside down, having someone by your side who understands and cares can be an invaluable asset in navigating the journey ahead. Together, we can discover a sense of healing and rediscovery, helping you reconnect with yourself and others. And amidst the process of processing difficult emotions, there lies the potential for unexpected moments of joy to emerge- little sparks that remind us of some of the good in life.

As a Pastor and counselor, I understand the pain and struggles that come with grief and loss. It is a natural part of life, but it's not always easy to deal with. I believe that there are healthy and productive ways to process and alleviate the symptoms of grief and loss. Through biblical guidance and support, you can navigate this journey toward healing. You are not alone. I am willing to come alongside you and help you find comfort and hope in the difficult moments of your life.

In my Grief and Loss therapy approach, I prioritize establishing a safe and supportive environment that allows clients to navigate the complexities of their emotions. Central to this approach is the validation of their grief, acknowledging the unique and often overwhelming feelings associated with loss. By creating a non-judgmental space, I encourage clients to openly express and process their thoughts and emotions surrounding the loss. This approach emphasizes the importance of honoring the client's grief journey, fostering a therapeutic alliance that respects their pace and individual needs, and facilitating a pathway toward healing and meaning-making in the aftermath of loss.

Galit Ribakoff helps individuals, couples, and families overcome the challenges of a loss. Different losses require different care. Galit will help you with issues related to death and dying, divorce, retirement, moving, and others. She will be working with you together, through a healthy grief process, to achieve your therapy goal, and attain your optimal results.