Summer Lan Franco

(she/her)

LMFT, 7 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I meet clients where they are, offering a safe, compassionate space for growth. I use honesty, empathy, and humor to empower clients to transform trauma and addiction into meaning and resilience. I have helped clients achieve freedom from self-doubt and live life with more confidence, courage, and clarity. By re-organizing our inner system we can achieve change in our outer world, feeling a greater sense of overall well-being and satisfaction. I believe that we are all capable of healing and have an internal resource that is accessible no matter what.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we’ll focus on getting to know what brings you in and what you want to be different, then we’ll clarify your main goals for treatment and what “progress” would look like for you. We’ll review relevant history (substance use, mood/anxiety, trauma symptoms, coping patterns, supports, and current stressors) at a pace that feels manageable, and we’ll talk about what has helped or not helped in the past. I’ll also explain how I work, confidentiality and its limits, and what to expect between sessions. We’ll do a brief risk/safety check (cravings, self-harm thoughts, high-risk situations) and collaborate on an initial plan to keep you safe and supported. Before we end, we’ll identify 1–2 practical skills or steps you can use right away (e.g., grounding, urge-management, or a support/contact plan) and agree on priorities for next session.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I am thoughtful and direct with my clients, demonstrating compassionate and caring attachment. I use self-disclosure and humor skillfully to develop a collaborative, trusting relationship that feels safe and accessible. I attune to my clients to best accommodate their unique needs and support them in reaching their goals, honoring what they want and need while gently guiding them using my clinical knowledge, personal and professional experience.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal client is someone who is curious and eager to learn about themselves. They're interested in exploring ways to improve self-care, recover from various forms of addiction, and break unhelpful habits that no longer serve them. They seek to enhance life satisfaction and align more closely with their goals and values. This involves building self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-compassion while working toward becoming their most authentic selves. If this resonates with you, I'm here to support your journey!

Specialties

Top specialties
Other specialties

ADHD

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Offers in-person in 1346 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901, 204

Virtual

My treatment methods

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts” (like protective parts, wounded parts, and the calm, grounded “Self”). In IFS, we build a compassionate relationship with these parts rather than trying to fight or silence them, so clients can understand what their inner system is communicating. This helps reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and overwhelm by addressing the underlying emotional patterns and unmet needs driving them. Over time, IFS supports healing by unburdening painful experiences, increasing self-compassion, and helping clients feel more connected, regulated, and confident in their choices.

Somatic

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is a mind-body approach often referred to as “tapping,” that combines modern psychology and accupressure. It involves tapping on specific body points to release tension and balance energy while utilizing cognitive reframing and positive affirmations. EFT helps reduce stress, provides quick emotional relief, and empowers you to manage emotions independently.

Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique that helps process trauma by identifying specific eye positions, called "brainspots,” linked to emotional experiences. During sessions, we locate these spots to allow deep emotional processing and natural healing. This approach can quickly address trauma and emotional distress, often more efficiently than traditional talk therapy.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.