I am a clinical social worker who has been in the field since about 2012. I have extensive experience with family conflict, complex trauma, rejection, depression, social anxiety, distrust, emotion regulation and substance use. I come from a 3rd Wave Behavior Change background which leans heavily into mindfulness and value based living. I also incorporate an incredible amount of compassion.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
First sessions vary from client to client. Some folks have pent up years of thoughts and emotions and are eager to spill it all out and some folks are a bit nervous and don't know where to start. Wherever you are, you will be met with openness, interest, undivided attention and a genuine curiosity. Often times in the first few sessions I'll ask about relationships, primary areas of struggle, treatment goals, and ask some questions that help to fill in a working frame of reference for appropriate intervention.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe that everyone deserves the life they want to be living. I believe that we are all equals. I believe that everyone is lovable and needs a sense of belonging to thrive. I have a strong sense of compassion and encourage my client's to be their own best friends. As a social worker I understand that we are humans living within systems and structures of all kinds and often times these systems and structures fail us and harm us. I am warm, direct and can even use a bit of humor when appropriate.
About Kristen Francis
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness allows us to tune into our emotions, behaviors and thought processes in a non-judging and compassion way in order to break out of automatic patterns and live with intention. Meditation is often incorporated but not required.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT offers us an opportunity to identify what is important to, most often referred to as our value system. After identifying these values, we commit to living them out. For example, if it is really important to me to live compassionately, I tune into moment where I lose that compassion, and work toward becoming compassionate in those moments. Simple not easy!
Trauma Informed Care
TIC means a few different things for me. First, I understand that we are the way we are because of life circumstances, not because there is something wrong with us. Second, the client is in on the process, meaning there are no secret agendas on my end and the client's input is of equal value. Third, the client has complete autonomy in sessions. We never have to process anything the client is not ready for. Last, it is absolutely unnecessary to 'tell your story'. My approach is to tune into the consequences of your story and overcome the modern day barriers that are blocking you from reaching your full potential in life.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT is often used for folks who have had rocky and/or unloving relationships in the past. It is so easy to believe that we are unloveable or even unlikeable if we have had parents/guardians/partners reject our authentic selves. EFT can rekindle that connection with ourselves and others. It incorporates vulnerability, intimacy and safety. Compassion is key!
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Many folks make therapy a life long journey. For others, they want a handful of skills and be sent on their way. I offer tangible and practical skills relating to mindfulness and self compassion that often take 4-5 sessions to get a working knowledge of. Folks are welcome to return months or even years later for a refresher or some skills for compounding effects.