About

Vicki’s private practice focuses on 1) helping individuals maintain stability after the death of a loved one, and partnering with them to reclaim a vital lifestyle after the loss; and 2) coaching individuals and executives to attain what they hope for and what matters most.

Ms. Panagotacos holds various professional certifications and is an ADEC Fellow. In addition to her private practice, she writes for her blog TalkingBittersweet.com. She isalsothe author of Gaining Traction: Starting Over after the Death of Your Life Partner, The Effect of Multigenerational Family and Social Systems on Meaning-Making (2010, Verlag), and the chapter entitled “Defining and Envisioning Self in Techniques of Grief Therapy” in Creative Practices for Counseling the Bereaved (edited by Robert Niemeyer, 2012, Routledge).

PhD in Thanatology
Masters in Transpersonal Psychology
Certified Life Coach
Certificate in Wellness Counseling
Certificates in Degriefing – Levels I & II: Somatic Aspects of Grief
Certified ADEC Thanatologist (Association for Death Education and Counseling) – Fellow/Advanced Standing
Internship – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training (Kabat-Zinn U Mass General Medical Center authorized MBSR program)
Certified EFT Practitioner
Certified Reiki Practitioner – Levels I, II, III
National Guild of Hypnotists – Certified Consulting Hypnotist
Certificates in Clinical, Medical, Advanced Ericksonian hypnosis and 100-hr hypnosis training, supervision and masters class with Michael Yapko, Ph.D.

Life Transition Coaching and Grief & Loss Counseling

Change is unsettling and your options may seem limited. Have you lost a job, had a relationship end, been diagnosed with a serious illness or had a loved one die? Any major transition, including retirement, involves loss and when there is loss there is grief.

I offer a safe collaborative environment where you will move from feeling anxious and out of control to feeling confident and capable of focusing on and accomplishing what matters to most to you. Whatever is going on, I can almost always help.

Services:

Learning about Loss
Anticipating Loss
Recent Loss
2nd Year Partner Loss
Starting Over
Stuck in Grief
Coping with a Family Suicide
Divorce
Loss of Job
Loss of a Pet
Helping A Child Grieve

Comfort Care Connection

Book Testimonials

I had the pleasure of working with Vicki and the Gaining Traction material during my second year of grieving the loss of my husband. Her class was such a radical change from my first year support group that my initial reaction was resistance. The work, however, shifted my attention and I soon understood that I had to make some changes—and that I could actually choose what I would change. The experience was the best thing that could have happened to me, and I ended up with a better life than I had before my loss.
~ Fran D.

I love this book. Vicki provides a wealth of wisdom and a roadmap for how to accept and move forward after deep loss. Read and reread this at your own pace – but read it. It is a must-have book for getting back to living fully.
~ Paul S.

It has been three years since my husband passed away. I have come a long way, but I still had issues that need to be dealt with. In reading Gaining Traction and doing the exercises, I found the incentive to start the process.
~ Becky B.

After my spouse died I attended grief counseling for two years, but after reading Gaining Traction I realize that counseling just skimmed the surface. I wish I had had this wonderful fully-packed reference 10 years ago. Better late than never!
~ Michelle B.

Finally a well-written book that picks up where grief support and counseling stops. Gaining Traction is a book that should be read by all who are starting over after the loss of a spouse.
~ Ken M.

I worked with the Vicki a few years ago and have just finished reading her book, Gaining Traction. This is a great book. It offers practical advice, but also discusses spiritual and philosophical issues as well.
~ Steve K.

I wasn’t sure I needed any help with my grief because I had many good friends who would listen. But after just a few classes with Vicki Panagotacos, I realized I had something to learn. Vicki’s skills, so aptly reproduced in this book, helped me. The material in Gaining Traction provided the vital information I needed to get to where I am today.
~ Art B.

Working with Vicki and the Gaining Traction material was a meaningful experience. She opened my eyes and helped me deal with my anger. This book will help move a grieving spouse to a more positive place.
~ Ann L.

There was nothing to prepare me for the profound grief and sadness that came with the loss of my husband. Working with Vicki and the material in Gaining Traction helped me regain my self-confidence and move on to enjoy my life again. Looking back on my progress, I don’t believe I could have done as well without the exercises and techniques.
~ Irene B.