Frances MacDonald
Stop. Unclench your jaw. Relax your shoulders. Breath. My practice is focused on decreasing negative mental health symptoms through a mind and body approach. My work relies on mindfulness and somatic practices that support clients of all ages. Mindfulness as a practice with children and adults supports emotional regulation and decreases anxiety. The intervention serves as a means to decrease impulsive behavior and reduce stress and anxiety. For children and adults with ADHD the practice can be effective in increasing attention and focus through the use of the senses, movement, and breath.
My practice has been focused on decreasing the effects of trauma, depression, and anxiety in both adults and children through a mind and body approach.
Somatic practices can relieve symptoms caused by trauma and PTSD symptoms and anxiety and stress reduction. These interventions support emotional regulation and depressive symptoms by restoring movement and breath flow.
First session
During our first session we will complete an initial assessment. This assessment will be an introduction to your past, present, and goals for the future. Essentially this session will provide me with the background information that lead to the need and desire to begin your journey with me during treatment.
Strengths
As a provider my relationship with my clients is my greatest strength. This relationship has helped me with improving the behavior of children and adults through a supportive and understanding relationship. There is no judgement. Only an understanding that we each struggle in our own way.
Ideal clients
My concentration of practice has been a therapist with children and families involved with child services. This has given me experience in a wide variety of mental health problems including but not limited to trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, adjustment disorder, and disruptions in attachment. Through the experience I have gained ongoing education as I continue to grow as a provider and provide my clients with a safe and supportive relationship.
Treatment methods
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness practices can be used with clients of every age. For both children and adults these practices help us to focus on the present and the moments that bring us joy while changing thought patterns that influence our ability to continue on a path towards growth. This intervention can be used to treat a number of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, general emotional distress, trauma, and addiction. Mindfulness allows us to focus on what we are capable of in this moment while looking towards the future. Deep breaths.
Somatic
Through the use of somatic practices it is the goal to ground you in the moment and create a greater understanding as to how our bodies respond to stress by noticing areas of tightness, temperature or ease without judgement. This practice is focused on our ability to identify safe, supportive memories, people, or physical spaces that are used as an anchor while exploring difficult emotions. Breath work is one of the most common interventions used in somatic work as well as gentle movement.
Supportive
As a practice supportive therapy encourages active listening and the validation of your feelings. It involves the display of empathy and reassurance and encouragement. Supportive practices provide education on how stress and trauma affect the brain and body. The practice promotes structured problem-solving and separating anxious thoughts from reality.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions511 E 4th St, Huntingburg, IN 47542, Suite 101
Identifies as
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Self Esteem
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
ADHD
Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Parenting
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Children (6 to 12)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
IndianaLicense 34011344A