richelle massengale ms, lpc

Experiencing grief is something that happens to all of us and one of the things we dread the most. There are many "stages of grief" that we have all heard about, but what does that mean and how does it work? The first step is realizing that grief is a life-long process. It's not something to "get over and move on from", but rather something we carry with us each day. Together, we will talk about what you are dealing with and you will have a comforting place to speak freely about anything that is on your mind. Sometimes, while our friends or family mean well, they just don't know what to say. Grief counseling provides a way for you to process your loss without the fear of answering unwelcome questions or hearing hurtful, or unsolicited advice. I have experienced deep grief, and truly enjoy working with and supporting others who have also had this experience.

The loss of a beloved pet is deeply personal and often misunderstood by others. Pet grief counseling sessions offer a safe, compassionate space to process that loss—whether you're grieving a recent passing, coping with anticipatory grief, or struggling to navigate daily life without your buddy. They are more than pets, they are our family. As a cat and dog mom, I have eperienced thsi more times than I care to admit. I would be honored to help you in this painful journey.

Caring for loved ones  can be deeply rewarding, but also extremely stressful and difficult. As a caregiver, you become tired, feel overwhelmed, experience decision fatigue (from so many important things to decide), experience grief (for the way your lives used to be), anticipatory grief (thinking of sad times ahead), and may even feel angry or resentful at times, leading to a deep sense of guilt and shame. All of these feelings are natural and you have a right to feel what you feel. Sometimes, we just need a place to talk things through and rest. I have experienced all of these things, and enjoy supporting caregivers helping them remember and find ways to care for themselves on their journey.

Living with chronic illness can be a constant struggle, not only physically, but emotionally as well. You feel weak, unwell and sad because you can no longer do the things you used to be able to do and enjoy. You may feel guilty, or like you are a burden to your family. You may also be continually researching, seeking answers and attending appointments, while wondering just how you are going to pay for all of the things you need in order to rest and heal. These things pile up, are overwhelming at times, and can lead to a sense of hopelessness. I have been where you are, and would love to offer support to you during these tough times. 

Whether facing end-of-life issues for yourself, or for a loved one, it is something we all experience and maybe the scariest thing we have to go through. Making decisions about quality of life, palliative care, hospice, estate planning, funeral arrangements and just day-to-day life can be overwhelming and exhausting. Coming from a place of personal experience, I will consistently sit with you through it all, supporting you as you find your way.

Struggling with grief and loss, caregiver fatigue, chronic illness, end-of-life issues, job transitions or financial pressures can cause us to feel burnt out on a deep level. Mentally, physically, and spiritually, the feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, and not feeling like you are enough can be too much sometimes. If you are experiencing the heaviness of any of these issues, I can help you find ways to make life much more manageable regaining your peace again. 

Anger isn’t the problem—it’s how we manage it. Anger is a natural response to many of life's challenges. This compassionate, judgment-free course helps you explore the roots of your anger and transform your relationship with it. Through 6 engaging sessions, you will complete weekly lessons and reflections, and gain practical tools to navigate intense emotions and strengthen communication skills.

We meet online, so class is accessible from anywhere, and you will receive a letter of completion when you are finished. This class is perfect for anyone ready to break cycles of emotional reactivity and replace guilt or shame with understanding and self-compassion. This is an open class, so you may join at any time.

Crisis counseling provides immediate, short-term support for individuals navigating moments of emotional overwhelm, trauma, or urgent distress. Whether you're grappling with grief, panic, loss, relationship upheaval, or a mental health emergency, our sessions will  offer you a safe space to feel heard, grounded, and supported. These sessions are self-pay only, do require an appointment, and can last from 1 to 3 hours. I will schedule you as soon asI can, and either continue seeing you as a permanent client, or help you find and secure an appropriate and trusted resource to help. 

You can expect gentle exploration of your current crisis and emotional needs, stabilization tools to calm the nervous system and restore a sense of safety, validation of your experience-because there is nothing wrong with you, support that is non-judgemental, confidential, and trauma informed, encouragement and connection. 

If this is an emergency, please call the Suicide Hotline at 988, or dial 911 for assistance. 

Some moments in life require more than an hour. Our intensive counseling sessions together will offer you extended time and presence for navigating complex emotional terrain—from recent loss or health changes to sustained compassion fatigue, crisis experiences, and end-of-life reflections.

These longer-format sessions provide a gentle, uninterrupted space to slow down, go deeper, and explore difficult emotions with the guidance of a compassionate professional. Whether you're processing layered grief, caring for others while neglecting yourself, or facing uncertainty in illness or aging, this is where your experience gets to be fully witnessed.

These are deep support sessions ranging from 90-minutes to 3 hours in length and offer an extended period of time for healing. These sessions are cash pay only.

I will help you organize your thoughts paper. Together, we will develop a solid plan of action for getting your counseling practice off the ground and put your goals on paper.

Step-by-step, we will work together getting everything you need in order so all of your structure is in place before you see your first client.

You will have your business finances organized and ready to go, as well as the support you need to keep things running smoothly.

I will share my personal successes and knowledge as well as brainstorm with you to come up with contacts and skills that you can personally utilize to build your business and brand.

You're finally ready! All your hard work has paid off. Now it is time for your grand opening celebration!

Just because you are open for business does not mean I will abandon you! There will be questions that come up and situations that arise you need support with, and I will be here to help you every step of the way!

I offer one-time, two-hour consults for counselors in private practice who have questions and are looking to build or improve an area of their current practice.