Are you a high achiever but frequently feel you're "faking" your way to success? Do you find yourself stuck in a situation you haven’t figured out how to change? Do you have unhealthy negative thought patterns and bad habits? Let me help you let go of old messages that tell you that you're not good enough or that you'd be better if your relationship, weight, career, or circumstances were different.
The key to overcoming life's numerous obstacles is showing up and being present for yourself. I'll assist you in developing and utilizing your inner abilities so that you can lead a happy, fulfilled life. I strongly desire to provide each person with the tools to identify their assets, develop fresh perspectives, and adopt constructive behavioral habits. I believe psychotherapy should be approachable, accessible, and results-driven. My goal is to empower individuals, couples, and families to define and claim the lives they were meant to live. This means starting by getting clear about hopes and dreams. I take a collaborative and holistic (mind/body/spirit) approach, meeting you where you are.
Let's broaden your support network and level up to view and interact with your situation in new ways with expanded support and energy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I take a holistic approach and strongly believe in the connection between our minds and bodies. I help clients by combining concrete strategies with deepening insight into behavioral patterns. I will create a safe and nurturing environment to facilitate your journey of self-discovery. We will stay focused on your goals and have a problem-solving mindset. Together, we will identify obstacles, discuss approaches and reframe mind work. At the end of each session, I hope you feel empowered to take the next step of necessary changes that will bring you success.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I value the opportunity to assist individuals in achieving their aspirations while providing guidance and support related to self-empowerment, self-confidence, reducing anxiety, and increasing self-esteem. I am dedicated to helping my clients with disordered eating, body image, relationship/career stalls, and identity issues. For high-achieving individuals, therapy can be a valuable tool for empowering them to continue to succeed. It can help clients identify and overcome obstacles holding them back, such as self-doubt, negative self-talk, and past traumas. I specialize in anxiety treatment due to perfectionism, imposter syndrome, eating/body image issues, healthy personal relationships, boundary setting, and burnout.
About Carla Franco
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely practiced and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The core principle of CBT is that our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors, and by identifying and changing negative thought patterns, individuals can experience positive changes in their emotional well-being.
CBT is goal-oriented and often involves collaboration between the therapist and the client to identify and challenge distorted or unhelpful thoughts. It also emphasizes the importance of developing practical coping strategies and behavioral changes to address specific issues.
The therapy is typically structured, with sessions focused on problem-solving and skill-building. It has been proven effective for a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and stress-related disorders. CBT is usually time-limited, providing clients with practical tools and strategies that they can use independently to manage their mental health beyond the therapy sessions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals who struggle with intense and overwhelming emotions, often seen in conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD). Developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies.
DBT is structured around four main components:
Mindfulness: Focuses on cultivating awareness of the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness skills help individuals observe and describe their experiences without becoming overwhelmed by emotions.
Distress Tolerance: Teaches coping mechanisms for handling crisis situations without making impulsive or destructive choices. Individuals learn to tolerate distress without resorting to harmful behaviors.
Emotion Regulation: Aims to identify and change unhealthy emotional responses. Clients learn to understand and manage their emotions, develop emotional resilience, and improve their ability to respond to situations in a balanced way.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Focuses on improving communication skills and building healthy relationships. Clients learn how to assertively express their needs, set boundaries, and navigate interpersonal conflicts.
DBT is known for its dialectical approach, which emphasizes finding a balance between acceptance and change. It recognizes that individuals may need acceptance for who they are while also working towards behavioral change.
This therapeutic approach has shown effectiveness in treating various conditions, including borderline personality disorder, self-harm behaviors, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
Positive Psychology
The mind-body connection refers to the intricate relationship between the mind (mental processes and thoughts) and the body (physical health and well-being). This concept recognizes that our mental and emotional states can influence our physical health, and vice versa. The mind and body are seen as interconnected and mutually influencing aspects of an individual's overall well-being.
Key aspects of the mind-body connection include:
Psychosomatic Effects: Our mental and emotional states can have tangible effects on the body. For example, stress, anxiety, or depression can manifest physically in symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues.
Stress Response: The body's response to stress, often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" response, involves a complex interaction between the mind and body. Chronic stress can have long-term impacts on physical health.
Placebo and Nocebo Effects: The mind's beliefs and expectations can influence the body's response to treatment. The placebo effect refers to the positive response to a treatment due to the patient's belief in its effectiveness, while the nocebo effect is the experience of negative side effects based on negative expectations.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices such as mindfulness and meditation emphasize the awareness of the present moment. These techniques aim to bring the mind and body into a state of balance, promoting overall well-being.
Biofeedback: Biofeedback involves using technology to monitor and provide feedback on physiological processes such as heart rate, muscle tension, and skin temperature. This feedback helps individuals gain control over bodily functions that are typically involuntary.
Holistic Health Approaches: Holistic approaches to health consider the whole person, addressing mental, emotional, and physical aspects. This can include lifestyle changes, nutrition, and stress management to promote overall well-being.
Understanding the mind-body connection has led to the development of integrative approaches in healthcare, where both psychological and physical aspects are considered in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. Practices that promote a healthy mind-body connection contribute to improved overall health and quality of life.
