Florence Soares-Dabalos, LMFT

I want to welcome you with kindness and compassion as you discover how I can support you during stressful, sad times where you may also be struggling with guilt, longing, and/or frustration.  Currently, I am offering individual mental health counseling sessions for those experiencing pet loss and caregiver stress due to their companion animal's chronic behavioral and/or physical issues.  For companion animal loss, my approach is different from others as I use a 6-week structured Remembering practice outline based on Narrative therapy that can help you:

• Learn new ways of thinking about your grief

• Identify “points of connection” with your companion animal for a renewed bond, anchoring you during a difficult time

• Reclaim moments of happiness while honoring your companion animal through storytelling

• Identify others who knew your companion animal and are willing to exchange stories of your pet with you

I know it will not be the same as physically having them but I do hope you’ll find comfort in this program as you share memories and stories with me. As Lorraine Hedtke, author of Bereavement support groups: Breathing life into stories of the dead writes, “The narrative approach supports an acknowledgment of continuing bonds between the living and the deceased.  Within a storied approach…is used to create a new, storied connection through which the relationship can continue into the future…the bereaved can now select elements of the relationship that will be most useful in their own lives.”

While other pet loss support may discuss the death of a companion animal as an ending to your relationship, my Remembering practice outline brings your companion animal “to life” through storytelling.  The focus, therefore, shifts from "getting over the grief" to finding new ways to connect to your companion animal so your bond can continue.  This approach does require one to be creative, imaginative, and open to the process of storytelling.  

If you'd like to learn more about this approach, or if you'd like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to email me through this profile or call me at 916-415-3731. Please note that due to licensing laws, I can only offer mental health counseling services to those physically located in CA.  If you're only interested in the Remembering practice, I may be able to accommodate since it is not therapy nor it is intended to be. 

If you'd like to learn more about me, please continue reading.

As a mental health professional who provided counseling support to pet parents and animal owners at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, I have worked with many different pet parents and animal owners discovering that we have the capacity to bond with any animal, no matter how big or how small, and they have the ability to bond with us.  Whether it was pet loss or supporting pet parents and animal owners whose pets/animals were dealing with chronic illness, including owners working with a Behavior Veterinarian, I have learned how precious the human-animal bond is for all of us and how much we all love our animals, regardless of species or breed.  While at UC Davis, I also facilitated our virtual monthly pet loss support group, provided end-of-life planning, assisted veterinarians in quality-of-life discussions with owners, and provided mental health counseling to veterinary residents/interns/fellows.  The primary focus of my private practice continues to be on the mental health and well-being of pet parents, animal owners, and vet med professionals.  

My former UC Davis clients describe me as warm and welcoming with strong advocacy skills.  I've been told my listening skills are excellent, understanding the deeper part in someone who may be hurting, helping them find their strengths and supports, and to heal from the pain of loss and/or the stress of caregiving.  

My future goal is to open a non-profit called Lita's Legacy, named after my heart dog, Lita.  Lita's Legacy will expand on my knowledge and experience of working in the veterinary medical profession, providing services to both companion animal owners and vet med professionals .  

I hope you will allow me the honor of walking with you on your journey of healing.  Thank you-Florence