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Couples Counseling

Is your relationship feeling more like a friendship these days? If you've noticed the spark fading away or are considering pre-marriage counseling as a proactive step, I'm here for you. Whether you're navigating the complexities of divorce and seeking an amicable co-parenting approach or want to enhance your connection, I can help. As a therapist trained in the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Developmental Model, and Discernment Counseling, I bring a range of proven techniques tailored to your unique needs. Certified as a Sex Therapy-informed Professional, I aim to support you in achieving your relationship goals, whatever they may be. Let's work together for a happier, healthier connection!

My Private Practice

As the owner of a private practice, I find immense joy in doing my best to excel in every aspect of the operation. Counseling is not just a job; it's a passion and a calling. That's why my practice is dedicated to offering quality care that considers both the big picture and the small details. From creating a serene office environment to providing a straightforward and streamlined paperwork process (and of course, the counseling), I aim to make your experience as comfortable as possible. My collaborative treatment plans are carefully thought out to help provide excellent care at every step of your journey. Your well-being is my priority, and I'm committed to delivering exceptional support and counsel.

Helpful Links

Please visit my website or business Facebook page for more information, and don't hesitate to contact me with questions.

Healing Without Limits Counseling and Consulting, LLC (HWLCC) is a counseling and consulting firm focused on aiding in healing the community through mental health treatment, enhancing the mental health system, and changing society's perspective on mental health. HWLCC envisions a world where no one has to suffer in silence from mental illness due to stigma or have to wait until they’re in crisis to receive attention/support. 

I am deeply passionate about serving others who have been impacted by loss. It was not my academic or clinical training that drove me into this work, it was the painful loss of my son. Through my own healing journey, I developed a desire to help others move beyond the pain caused by loss.

I enjoy walking alongside others as they find healing through the Grief Recovery Method®. I am grateful for the opportunity to support people as a counselor who are grieving a variety of losses including death, divorce, break-up, infidelity, miscarriage, infertility, financial and job loss, addictions, moving, loss of health, physical injury, and loss of hopes, dreams, and expectations.

I also help people with anxiety, burnout, career counseling, depression, men's issues, relationship issues, phase of life problems, spiritual & religious problems, and substance use problems.  

I received my bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University and my master’s degree in Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton. I am qualified as a Certified Trauma Resiliency Practitioner with the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. I am also a Board-Certified Telehealth Professional With the Telebehavioral Health Institute. I have over a decade of experience as a LPCC-S. I have supervised students at the University of Dayton through their counseling practicum and internships. I have also supervised LPC’s working towards their independent licensure and LPCC’s working to obtain their supervisory designation. I have over 16 years of experience working in both community mental health and private practice settings. I started my own solo practice, Safe Harbor Columbus, last year. I treat children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma. I will be presenting a training for the Central Ohio Counseling Association June 17, 2022.

I serve adult individuals experiencing mental health challenges or navigating major life changes, from all walks of life.  I am especially adept at serving high achievers and complex developmental trauma survivors.  My practice is centered around developing intentions, building mind-body awareness, and healing/growing intrapersonal and interpersonal connection.

I have my own private practice in Dublin, Ohio.  My career in counseling began in the 1980s when I volunteered as a helpmate for a partial hospitalization program assisting with recreation therapy and art therapy.  Later, I graduated to a paid part-time recreation therapist position at a 30-day drug rehab for adolescents.

From those beginnings until now I have worked as a hospital psychiatric screener, an outpatient therapist at community mental health clinics and agencies, a social worker for Children and Families, and a Military and Family Life Counselor.

My favorite position is the one I have now, specializing in the treatment of adults and adolescents suffering adjustment disorders, depression, and anxiety.

Gayle Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) working at Affirmations Psychological Services. She is receiving clinical supervision from Heidi Carter, LPCC-S, LICDC. She earned her Master’s degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Being born and raised in Michigan she and her husband made the decision to move to Columbus, Ohio so she could pursue her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at The Ohio State University, where she is currently working on her dissertation, hoping to complete it soon.

Gayle sees the work she does with clients as collaborative process and client centered. She works to build an authentic and safe space for her clients to heal and grow. She recognizes that change is hard and honors where her clients are at in the change process. She uses various modalities to help her clients succeed in reaching their mental and emotional wellness goals. Whatever intervention she decides to use it will be from a trauma informed, identity affirming, socially just perspective that honors the client’s story. Gayle has experience working with all ages and is willing to work with most presenting concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, body image issues, and relationship issues. She has a passion for children and adolescents. For the past year she has been working at a hospital outpatient program for adolescents in crisis. Before that she worked with college-aged students who were in crisis and connected them with university and community resources. She has also worked in an elementary school as a mental health counselor.