My name is Marie Francis and I am a nationally board-certified counselor, licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Board Certified Counselor and Distance Certified Counselor. I hold a Master’s degree in Psychology with primary focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, California. I began my counseling career in the mid 1990’s as Assistant Director of Career Counseling at a law school in Southern California. I was inspired by her counseling work with law students and was encouraged by her mentor to pursue graduate education and professional licensure. While pursuing graduate degree, I worked in community mental health Southern California where I provided counseling to high-risk populations with mental health challenges as well as psychosocial stressors of poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse and issues related to immigration and acculturation.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

One thing we can be sure of is that our lives are constantly changing. How we navigate the change determines the ease with which we move through the world. In our first session, I will encourage my clients to tell me their story, how they arrived at the place they are in their journey, and to honestly and without fear of judgment tell me what is preventing them from living their best life in this moment. We will devise a plan to move forward by setting goals that will enable them to envision the best possible outcome from our time together, whatever that looks like.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Bottom line, I have lived a rich life that has provided me with tools that I believe are useful to share in my practice. In order to become credentialed and licensed, therapists must achieve and maintain a high level of education. What sets me apart is that I incorporate my lived experience with my education. If my story speaks to you, I look forward to serving you.

About Marie Francis