Georgette Barkala, LPCMH,NCC

My journey to becoming a mental health counselor started after being in therapy following the loss of my mother. Knowing how it feels to be someone in need of help guides my work as a therapist. My experience includes counseling a diverse population of children, adolescents and adults as an in-home therapist, community mental health outpatient therapist and private practice. I also taught Psychology courses to first-generation college students for Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. I moved to Delaware in 2020 and started my own practice in the beautiful community of Lewes. The name Live and Learn Counseling was inspired by my belief that the challenges we face in our life can also be opportunities to learn and grow. I primarily use a Person-Centered approach to therapy. Person-Centered Therapy is grounded in the Humanistic Theory of Psychology which focuses on the relationship between a client and therapist as fellow travelers on a self-exploration journey together. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral interventions to challenge negative thought and behavior patterns and help you set healthy boundaries in support of your treatment goals. I use a trauma-informed perspective which considers what happened to you and not only what is wrong with you. Much of my work is focused on grief and loss. While grieving the death of a loved one is understood, different types of losses are often dismissed as insignificant. Divorce, retirement, moving, health limitations, and career changes are also losses that can affect how you feel. Estrangement from family, infertility and miscarriage carry a social stigma that can limit access to emotional support. Many times, grief looks a lot like anxiety and depression.