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, compassion and undivided attention. 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 frame a potential 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.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
The clients I seem to have the greatest impact on are those who have felt rejected, neglected or less-than somehow. So many of my clients over the years have suffered from perfectionism, overachieving, loose boundaries, negative self-talk, a sense of hopelessness for the future and have a general low sense of self worth. My greatest asset is encouraging folks to to believe that they are valuable, lovable and can live the life they believe is worth living.
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 order to break out of automatic patterns and into value-based intentional living. Meditation is often incorporated but not required.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT offers us an opportunity to identify our personal value system and teaches us ways to commit to it, even when it is difficult to do so.
Trauma Informed Care
The way I approach TIC is by encouraging transparency (no secrets on my end), hosting trigger responses with compassion and validation, normalizing fear based reactivity and realigning the mind, body and emotional self in order to experiences new and perceived threats in intentional ways.
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 deescalation, grounded presence and self compassion that often take around 4-6 sessions to get a working knowledge of. Folks are welcome to return months or even years later for a refresher or to cultivate new skills.