Marleen Garza, MEd, LPC-Associate, BCC

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Welcome. Long ago I set the intention to be a contributor to others’ healing. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate in Texas, a Board Certified Coach, and Grief Recovery Specialist. I am committed to collaborate with you while you reach your wellness goals. I believe that learning to understand and integrate the different aspects of a person (mind, body, spirit, relationships, emotions and thoughts) can help pave the way to improved wellbeing. A major area in my service to others involves an inevitable part of the human experience, grief and loss. While death and divorce are at the top of the list, there are actually 40+ types of losses including pet loss, that lead to the pain and trauma of grieving. I can help you learn skills to move beyond the paralyzing pain of grief. 

Another area of significant focus in my work is supporting former members of cults or high control groups (HCG) recover their sense of autonomy and spiritual self-agency. Grief is experienced to a great extent after cult involvement. This is because of the various, very real losses that follow after leaving a HCG. As a former third generation, born-in member of JWs, a HCG, I can truly understand. As a therapist, I offer other HCG survivors a level of support that is informed by personal experience. What I have found is that most mental health professionals simply cannot relate to the lived experiences of involvement in a cult or HCG. For example, over twenty years ago, when I sought help upon exiting a HCG, several therapists I spoke to admitted they were puzzled as I tried to explain the world view I grew up in. Although healing is not linear, I can say that I am a living product of how much therapy can help. If you relate and are ready to begin processing some real stuff, I invite you to take that first step. I can be a guide by your side. If you are grieving a loss of any kind, please know you don’t have to grieve alone. I look forward to hearing from you.