I’m Steven Frank. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), licensed in California and living in Seattle, Washington. The way the law works is that if I have a California license, I can live outside of California, but can only work with California residents. For that reason, all my work is performed online through telehealth. I see adults and senior adults in my practice and my work is with individuals. I’ve been licensed since 1983 but actually began to “grow” a private practice beginning in 1990. While most of my experience has been with clients dealing with depression and anxiety, over the last 4-5 years I’ve been more focused on the treatment for symptoms of trauma and abuse. I’ve been trained in EMDR (a specific treatment for trauma), and will use that method as needed, when appropriate, and with your understanding of the process, and consent. By the way, my first job experience (before beginning my schooling for the MFT license), was in the California State Hospital system as a psychiatric technician. I was a member of a hospital inpatient treatment team that treated people with severe mental disorders. This was excellent training for working with clients who are seeking help, but on an outpatient basis.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, I focus on developing a treatment plan which involves asking you a lot of questions. This is so I can better understand why you are seeking help, and what you want in your life that is different, and better, because of what we do together in therapy. Only you can answer that question to your satisfaction. Throughout therapy, with my guidance and support, I will help you determine what is important to you, identify the struggles and issues that are unique to you, and how to accomplish what you want. By working together, you will gain understanding of those issues, and see the actions you want and need to take to achieve the life you want.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
The tools and methods that I offer in therapy are not always the same for every individual I meet. People are unique and require different approaches. I tend to use similar approaches when developing a treatment plan. These are: -Cognitive-Behavioral -Internal Family Systems -EMDR -Workbooks and other reading material as appropriate -Mindfulness, Relaxation, Meditation, Guided Imagery as appropriate Most helpful and essential in good therapy is knowing that you are receiving help. I want our sessions to be based on mutual trust. That can take place when you know that I am actively listening to what you have to say.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
From feedback over time, I do hear from client reviews of my ability to communicate a feeling of caring and empathy,,,, especially when with someone that needs and requests help. I know that I do care about the person in front of me. I thought about it: In 1972 I was hospitalized with severe depression and anxiety. Was a difficult period for me. One thing I did learn from the esperience-- I learned about depression and anxiety. I knew what it was. And if anyone could recognize it by experience, I sure could. Over time, I could `