Individual Therapy in DFW

Individual therapy at Willow & Stone Counseling is designed for adults navigating pressure, transition, or quiet dissatisfaction, who seek a supportive, discreet space to gain clarity, build resilience, and sustain peak performance, without burnout.

A compassionate therapist engaging in a supportive breakthrough session, representing the personalized approach to individual therapy for high-achieving adults at Willow & Stone Counseling.

Tailored Therapy For You

A Quieter Kind of Progress: Finding Your Way Back

Willow & Stone Counseling is a grounded private space designed for honest work and meaningful change. Here you can slow down, think clearly, and start moving beyond the “autopilot” of daily life to reconnect with an inner sense of purpose.

Who This Service Is For: Finding Your Way Back

I specialize in supporting clients who function at a high level but feel the internal toll of their responsibilities:

  • High-Achieving Professionals: Those navigating constant pressure, perfectionism, and the hidden cost of always being “on.”
  • Men Moving Beyond "Pushing Through": Men ready to reconnect with their inner experience at their own pace, with dignity and agency.
  • Individuals Facing Burnout: Adults who function well outwardly but feel depleted, numb, restless, or emotionally overextended.
  • Those Wrestling with Identity & Performance: People dealing with impostor syndrome who feel driven to prove themselves regardless of their accomplishments.
  • Adults in Transition or Loss: Individuals navigating grief, relationship wounds, or life transitions that leave them feeling unsettled and seeking a new sense of direction.
  • Survivors of Trauma: Clients seeking paced, safety-first work to address the impact of unresolved trauma and support true healing.
  • The LGBTQIA+ Community: Clients seeking affirming, culturally responsive therapy that honors their lived experience and unique context.

My Approach: Depth Meets Practicality in Individual Therapy

I work with the part of you that has become exceptionally skilled at functioning, often at the expense of feeling. My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed and intentionally grounded in both depth and practicality. By using an attachment lens, I examine how you relate to yourself and others, exploring the emotional and relational patterns that repeat in your life. Together, I will name what those patterns have been protecting, honor the role they once played, and begin to create more room inside for honesty, choice, and lasting relief.

What to Expect: Integrating Modern Modalities for Real Change

A session with me at Willow & Stone Counseling is a collaborative process where I bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. My work is dynamic, moving between deep insight and actionable skill-building. Depending on your specific needs, my sessions may integrate:

  • Mindfulness & Presence: I weave in mindfulness techniques so you can learn to stay present with your internal experiences without bracing against them or "disappearing" emotionally.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): I use ACT to help you pivot away from what fear demands and move toward the values that truly matter to you.
  • DBT-Informed Skills: To support steadier footing in difficult moments, I draw on DBT skills focused on emotional regulation, healthy boundaries, and relational repair.
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): When appropriate, I utilize EMDR to help unresolved past experiences settle and ensure the past no longer dictates how you show up in the present.

Specialized Expertise for Thoughtful Adults

My practice specializes in providing high-level, sophisticated care for mature adults who value autonomy and agency. I am an expert in helping successful professionals, executives and leaders navigate the complexities of identity, trauma, and burnout. By combining clinical rigor with a compassionate, human-centered presence, I ensure that my work is not just about "symptom management," but about a profound recalibration of how you live and lead.

The Results: What Progress Looks and Feels Like

This approach at Willow & Stone Counseling is designed to expand your internal capacity and strengthen self-trust. The goal is to reach a place where you can feel what you feel without being overwhelmed by it, allowing you to respond to life’s pressures with steadiness rather than just survival instinct.As the work deepens, many clients notice that their inner world becomes more manageable and their daily life begins to feel more "true."

Tangible Outcomes of My Work Together

Clients who engage in this paced, intentional therapy often report significant shifts in their well-being and relationships:

  • Emotional Resilience: You’ll feel calmer, more regulated, and capable to navigate high-stress moments without spiraling or "numbing out."
  • Restored Vitality: Improved sleep and recovery as your nervous system learns to downshift from the constant "on" position.
  • Grounded Confidence: A stronger sense of self-trust that isn't dependent on your latest achievement or external validation.
  • Healthier Relational Boundaries: A clearer sense of what you will and will not accept, leading to more meaningful and intentional relationships.
  • Alignment & Purpose: A life that feels less like a performance and more like a reflection of what matters most to you.

Beyond "Fixing": Relating to Yourself with Clarity

The aim of my work is not to “fix” you, but to help you relate to yourself with more clarity and compassion. When you stop fighting your internal experience and start understanding it, you gain the agency to lead your life with integrity and relief.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone: Let’s Start with a Conversation

Reaching out can feel like a lot, especially if you’re used to handling things on your own. I can start with a complimentary 15-minute consultation to see whether I am a good fit and what support would be most helpful right now.

Rates, Insurance, and Accessibility for Individual Therapy

I believe that the professional side of therapy should be handled with the same transparency and respect as the clinical work. My goal is to provide a premium, confidential experience in DFW that allows you to focus entirely on your progress without the constraints of traditional insurance models.

Investment & Private Pay

Many of my clients choose a private pay model to ensure the highest level of privacy and to keep their therapeutic records outside of the insurance system. This also ensures that our work is driven by your specific needs and pace, rather than a third-party's diagnosis or session limits.

  • Individual Session Rate: $225 per 50-minute session.
  • Payment Methods: I accept all major credit cards, as well as HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards.

Insurance & Out-of-Network Reimbursement

I am an out-of-network provider and do not accept insurance directly as a form of payment. However, for those with out-of-network benefits, I can provide a Superbill upon request. You may submit this document to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your specific plan’s coverage for mental health services.

Sliding Scale Availability

I am committed to making high-quality therapy accessible when possible. I maintain a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients who are experiencing a significant economic impact or financial need. Please inquire during our consultation regarding current availability for these reduced-rate spots.

My DFW Location & Virtual Options

Whether you prefer the grounding presence of an in-person office or the flexibility of a digital space, I offer options to fit your lifestyle:

  • In-Person Therapy: Our office is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, offering a private and professional setting for you to slow down and do the work.
  • Telehealth for Texans: For those with demanding schedules or travel requirements, I provide secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy available to anyone residing in the state of Texas.

My Dallas Office Location:

How do I get started with individual therapy?

Getting started with individual therapy at Willow & Stone Counseling is a straightforward process designed to be low-pressure and efficient. You can reach out via email, phone, or by completing the secure contact form on our website to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation. This initial conversation is a space for us to discuss your specific needs, answer any logistics questions, and determine if my therapeutic approach is the right fit for your goals.

What can I expect during my first therapy session?

Your first therapy session is primarily focused on creating a comfortable therapeutic space and ensuring we are aligned on your path forward. Whether you are new to counseling or have prior experience, we begin by reviewing practice policies and confidentiality to ensure you feel secure. The core of our first meeting is an intentional "getting to know you" phase where we discuss what brought you here, your expectations for the process, and what success looks like for you. It’s also an opportunity for you to experience my therapeutic presence and decide if our connection feels right for the work ahead.

How often will I need to attend therapy sessions?

To build the momentum necessary for long-term recovery and meaningful change, I generally recommend weekly therapy sessions for the first 10 to 12 weeks. Much like physical exercise, consistency is the key to building emotional resilience and "muscle memory" in your mental health. After this initial phase, we will reassess your progress and determine a cadence that fits your evolving needs and lifestyle. While I provide clinical recommendations based on your goals, you always maintain full agency over the pace of your healing journey.

How long does the therapy process typically take?

There is no single timeline for therapy, as the duration of the process is entirely unique to your specific needs, readiness for change, and the complexity of the patterns we are addressing. Some clients engage in a focused "season of therapy"—usually 3 to 6 months—to navigate a specific life transition or reduce burnout. Others choose longer-term, depth-oriented work to untangle long-held patterns and build foundational change. We will check in periodically to ensure the work stays intentional and aligned with your desired outcomes.

How do I know if I actually need therapy or if I should just keep managing things on my own?

If you are wondering whether you "need" therapy or should keep managing on your own, you are likely already experiencing the diminishing returns of high-functioning anxiety or burnout. Many high-achievers wait until a breaking point to seek support, but therapy is most effective when used as a strategic tool for recalibration before a crisis occurs. If you feel outwardly successful but internally depleted, or if your usual coping mechanisms are no longer providing relief, therapy is an investment in your sustainable performance and long-term well-being.

Meet Gergana Markov, MBA, M.S., LPC

An EMDR-trained clinician and former corporate professional, I specialize in helping high-functioning adults and couples move from "surviving" to "thriving." Let’s find your footing again.

Smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a beige blazer and gold necklace. Gergana Markov, MBA, MS, LPC, EMDR-trained
Stack of four smooth stones balanced on a larger stone in clear water with a blurred waterfall and greenery in the background. Willow & Stone Counseling located in DFW Texas