About Willow & Stone: Grounded Therapy for Life’s Transitions
You aren't failing—you are just tired of holding it all together. At Willow & Stone Counseling, I offer Virtual Therapy in Texas and In-Person Sessions in DFW designed to help you balance compassion with accountability. Here, you can find the strength to rebuild and the safety to finally let go.
Meet The Founder: Gergana Markov, MBA, MS, LPC, EMDR-trained.
I specialize in working with adults and couples who often feel overwhelmed by the weight of their responsibilities. Through a supportive and structured approach, I offer trauma-informed therapy that balances deep empathy with honest accountability, utilizing EMDR to process past wounds when beneficial.
You may be wondering if therapy can genuinely help, especially if you are used to facing challenges on your own. I completely understand that hesitation. My own journey has led me across continents, cultures, and careers—often without a therapist's support. It wasn't until I met a mentor who deeply impacted my outlook that I realized: we do not have to carry it all alone.
The values that guide my work
Emotional Safety
I honor your nervous system and move at the pace of safety; nothing is ever forced.
Compassion With Accountability
I hear your story with tenderness, but stay honest about what’s keeping you stuck.
Whole-Person Healing
I work at the roots: mind, body, and spirituality, so change can last.
Cultural Humility & Inclusivity
Your culture and lived experience matter here. I approach them with curiosity and respect.
Integrity
Clear boundaries, thoughtful care, and support you can trust.
The Heart & Science Behind My Practice
Years ago, I found myself tired and uninspired. Even though I had a successful career, it was no longer satisfying, and I began to search for something meaningful to pursue. During that period, I met the founder of a non-profit working to help refugee women adjust to life in the United States. I was in awe of her generosity and profoundly moved by the stories of the families she cared for—in part because they reminded me of my own journey as an immigrant from Bulgaria.
Quite a bit of fear and confusion can be associated with blending different worlds. Personally, I remember feeling so isolated after moving to the US in the early 90s. I needed help, but was too afraid to ask questions. I desired connection, but was unsure who to trust. I felt misplaced, misunderstood, hopeless, and alone. Fearing judgment and rejection, I retreated. I began to believe that acceptance required conformity, and lost touch with myself along the way.
The refugee families involved with my friend’s non-profit experienced much different outcomes. Why? Because they didn’t have to go it alone. This revelation sparked a new sense of purpose in me: to become the person I wish I had in my life during my most difficult moments of transition and change.
A Bit More About Me
I’ve been married for 30+ years and am deeply proud of the woman my daughter has become. Outside the therapy room, you’ll find me hiking with my husband, flowing through yoga with friends, or experimenting in the kitchen. My rescue pit mix, Paige, keeps me grounded with her loyal cuddles.
What I believe about this work
Many people come to therapy not because they are failing but because they are tired.
Tired of holding it together. Tired of performing “fine.” Tired of carrying so much responsibility while feeling quietly disconnected inside.
Couples often come for similar reasons. Not because they don’t love each other but because conflict, disconnection, or broken trust have made it hard to feel safe again.
In our work, we’ll meet what’s happening with compassion and honesty, so meaningful change becomes possible without blame or shame.
My approach to therapy is grounded, warm, and affirming. I offer a calm space where you can process transitions, explore patterns, and speak your truth, especially the parts that may have been dismissed or silenced elsewhere. Whether you're feeling stuck, grieving, disconnected, or simply ready to grow, I’ll walk with you as you uncover new possibilities and reclaim a stronger sense of self.
My work is informed by both lived experience and advanced clinical training. I integrate strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to teach clients practical tools to effectively regulate emotions and navigate life stressors. I am EMDR-trained and use trauma-informed approaches that support the whole person. I also draw from mindfulness-based techniques and relational models that help individuals, couples, and families reconnect with themselves and each other.
Area of focus
I’m particularly passionate about helping people who’ve had to “hold it all together” for too long—and are now ready to let someone else hold space for them. I work with:
- Individuals navigating life transitions, trauma, or identity shifts
- Couples working to restore connection and trust
- Parents exploring generational dynamics and communication challenges
- LGBTQ+ clients seeking affirming, informed care
- High-achieving professionals wrestling with performance-driven patterns
Whether pursued or imposed upon us, change is challenging—but it’s also a pathway to personal growth and enrichment. It certainly has been for me. I would be honored to walk with you on your journey of self-discovery.
Professional Background and Accreditation
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor in the state of Texas. I hold a Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University. Prior to becoming a therapist, I had a successful career in real estate acquisitions, marketing, and advertising - experience that uniquely informs my work with ambitious professionals facing burnout, transition, or identity fatigue.
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Safe Conversations for couples and communities. I also have specialized training in affirmative therapy for gender and sexuality issues and am a passionate LGBTQ+ ally.
Additional Specialized Training:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Relational Life Therapy (RLT)
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- EFT for Counseling Diverse Communities
- Great Sex for Couples Integrating EFT & Sex Therapy
I have also attended multiple trainings and conferences on love, intimacy, and relational health presented by world-renowned psychotherapists and bestselling authors, Esther Perel and Terry Real.
Why Clients Choose Willow & Stone
Choosing a therapist is about feeling understood, not just credentials. I combine clinical expertise with practical insights to guide you confidently.
Evidence-Based & Practical
I go beyond open-ended venting. I equip you with concrete skills from DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness to help you regulate your nervous system and handle stress in real-time.
Culturally Responsive
I honor the full context of your life—from the cultural messages that shaped you to the unique pressures of your environment. Whether it’s the expectation for men to be stoic or the drive of a high-achiever to perform, I validate your reality.
Trauma-Informed Pacing
I move at the pace of safety. I recognize that for many high-functioning people, "pushing through" is a survival strategy. I help you soften your defenses without feeling like you are falling apart.
Real-World Fluency
As a clinician with an MBA and corporate background, I understand the stakes of high-responsibility lives. You won’t have to explain the weight of your career or the pressure to deliver; I already speak the language of your world.
A Steady Space to Land—Wherever You Are
Secure Virtual Therapy Across Texas
I bring the therapy room to you. Through my secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, I offer high-quality counseling to clients throughout the entire state of Texas. Whether you are at home, in the office, or traveling, you can access a quiet space to process and heal without the added stress of a commute.
Planting Roots in Dallas-Fort Worth
I am in the process of creating a permanent physical sanctuary for Willow & Stone Counseling in the DFW area. In the meantime, I am welcoming clients for in-person sessions at my temporary office spaces in Addison and Highland Park. I look forward to providing you with a calm, grounded environment designed for deep work and face-to-face connection. Join my newsletter to be the first to know when my permanent doors open.
Your Journey from "Surviving" to "Thriving"
The Connection Call (15 Mins)
The Intake & Discovery
The Deep Work (Ongoing)
The Integration
Frequently asked questions
Starting therapy involves many unknowns, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Browse my most frequently asked questions to see if Willow & Stone Counseling is the right home for your healing.
How does therapy help if I am high-functioning but feel exhausted?
Therapy helps if you are high-functioning but exhausted by providing a confidential space where you no longer have to "perform" wellness. Many of my clients are successful professionals who are tired of holding it all together. Because I have a corporate background (MBA) and experience in high-pressure environments, I understand the unique weight of your responsibilities.
I move beyond standard talk therapy to address the root of your burnout. By using mindfulness and trauma-informed care, I help you shift from constantly "doing" to authentically "being," allowing you to maintain your success without sacrificing your internal peace.
I am looking for practical change, not just a place to vent. How active is your role in sessions?
My approach is designed for people who value insight and action. I go beyond open-ended listening to offer a steady, interactive partnership. Drawing on my background in both clinical psychology and the business world, I balance warmth with honest accountability. We won’t just discuss your week; we will actively identify the root of your patterns and equip you with concrete, evidence-based tools (like EMDR or mindfulness) so you can navigate your life with more clarity and control.
How do you balance deep trauma work with practical daily tools?
I balance deep trauma work with practical daily tools by paying attention to both why you are stuck and how to help you move forward today. We do not just dwell on the past; we use it to understand your present patterns.
I integrate deep processing methods like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with practical, skill-building modalities like ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). This ensures that while we heal the roots of your pain, you are also leaving sessions with concrete strategies to regulate your emotions and navigate stress in real-time.
What does it mean to work at the "pace of safety"?
Working at the "pace of safety" means we never force insight or trauma processing before your nervous system is ready. If you are feeling overwhelmed, flooded, or shut down, pushing harder can actually be harmful.
Instead, I regularly assess your capacity to explore difficult experiences. If your nervous system is dysregulated, we pause to focus on grounding and stabilization first. This trauma-informed approach respects your window of tolerance, ensuring that therapy remains a safe container where you can heal without being retraumatized.
What does "compassion with accountability" look like in our sessions?
Compassion with accountability in our sessions looks like a relationship based on deep tenderness and honest reflection. You will always be met with warmth and never with judgment or shame. However, true change requires honesty.
I will gently challenge you to look at the patterns that are keeping you stuck and support you in taking agency over your life. Accountability here is not about blame; it is about empowering you to make choices that align with the life you want to build. We work together to ensure you are supported in taking real action toward your goals.
What People Are Saying
Your Next Chapter Begins Here
Change is inevitable, but growth is a choice. Whether you are navigating a new culture, a career shift, or a relationship struggle, I am here to help you stay grounded in what is stable while opening up to what can heal.