(she/they)
Traditional talk therapy isn't always enough for anxiety, depression, or for a brain and body shaped by trauma or neurodivergence. I’m FranCina, a licensed professional therapist in NJ and PA. I'm also a Board Board Certified Registered Art Therapist SM (ATR-BC®), and Yoga Therapist. I don’t just sit and nod; our sessions are an active, compassionate conversation. Whether we are talking, drawing the sun or observing our breath, my goal is to help you move from 'just surviving' to feeling truly empowered in your own skin. If you’re tired of feeling stuck and want a therapist who 'gets' the complexity of your experience, I’m here when you’re ready.
In our first session, our priority is safety and clarity. We’ll start by mapping out where you are feeling 'stuck'—whether that’s in your thoughts, your emotions, or your physical body and begin to consider a path that works for you. Because I use a systems approach, I don't just ask 'how was your week?' We will begin identifying the specific triggers and patterns that affect you. We will look at how this impacts your nervous system, and other systems, like your work, routine, or relationships. You can expect a warm, active conversation where we talk and I hold your space and listen. If you are interested we might move and breathe with somatic awareness, or creative expression. I hold a Trauma-informed space that is invitational and that feels right for your unique brain and body. You’ll leave our first meeting with a sense of how we could work together to move you from 'just surviving' to feeling empowered in your own skin.
My approach is integrative, evidence-based, trauma-informed, and highly personalized. I believe that because we live in both the mind and the body, therapy should address both. I utilize a blend of: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Acceptance and change strategies, balancing black-and-white thinking using mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills; and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Art Therapy: To process what words sometimes can't. Somatic & Yoga Therapy: To help regulate your nervous system and find safety in your body. CCTP-II Strategies: To address complex trauma and PTSD with evidence-based care. Neuro-Affirming Care: Specialized support for Autism Spectrum Disorder ADHD, LGBTQ+. Women's issues, that honors your unique processing style and complex experiences. Systems Approach to therapy: Body, Breath and deeper Wise Mind and Connection. Internal Family Systems, De-Colonialism, Feminist Approaches, Spirituality. Whether we are using creative expression, contemplation, or somatic grounding, my focus is on building your self-awareness and empowering you to make choices that align with your True Self. We deconstruct to reconstruct. If you are looking for a therapist who is welcoming, non-judgmental, and ready to do the work with you, let's connect and build from here.
I am best positioned to serve adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, mood and emotion regulation issues, and those navigating the complex intersection of trauma and neurodivergence (Autism/ADHD). My ideal clients are often 'high achievers' or creative souls who feel deeply disconnected from their bodies or overwhelmed by a world that wasn't built for them. They may struggle with: complex trauma (C-PTSD), feeling constantly 'on guard' or shut down, or angry or reactive. They may experience sensory overwhelm or executive functioning challenges trying to navigate life with a neurodivergent brain. Emotions may come with chronic tension, fatigue, or 'feeling stuck' in a stress response. I serve those who are looking for more than just a listener; they want a specialist who integrates tools to help them find genuine safety and empowerment in their own skin.
Other specialties
I identify as
Integrative
I use an integrative approach to therapy where you and I collaborate together on focusing on your unique needs. I work with you to learn acceptance and change strategies like DBT to help see what you are working with and focus on your goals. Using mindfulness strategies to help you get in touch with yourself and stay focused in the present. I introduce ways for you to slow down and focus on your needs in the moment. I listen with compassion and help you process your own thoughts and feelings. We look at your past as related to your present and consider parts of self that influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I introduce ideas for processing your feelings and experiences using nature, creativity, journaling, metaphor, movement, breathing, designing and experiencing your own safe space, and other forms of expression. I always provide choice as I am trauma informed and respect your need for choice in therapy and out there in the world.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Learning to focus your attention to reduce overwhelm and stress is a skill that can help you calm your system. Focusing on the present, on your senses, and external environment can help us get out of our heads. Focusing on your thoughts and feelings in the moment can help us understand and accept ourselves. My goal is to help you accept and honor your experiences to find direction and intention in your daily life. Acceptance and change is a natural part of effectiveness, and I recognize the struggle. Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion, regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, among other Acceptance and Change strategies are integrated into the natural flow of therapy.
Trauma Informed Care
I use a holistic approach that recognizes the wide-spread impact of trauma and its effect on so many aspects of our lives. Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual's physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being and is compounded by anxiety, depression, neuro-diversity, and external environments. I shift the focus from "what's wrong with you?" to "what happened to you?," acknowledging the complex experiences that you may have faced, and using strategies that promote your healing and well-being. I create a safe space for you to explore your emotions, thoughts, feelings, sensations, urges, and anything else that comes up. For those who want to go deeper, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy views the mind as a multi-part system, like a family, where different parts each have their own roles, emotions, and intentions. IFS therapy helps you understand and integrate these parts, fostering internal harmony and healing, rather than suppressing or eliminating them. By developing self-awareness and self-compassion, you can learn to lead your parts with understanding, leading to improved mental health and personal growth. While I integrate various approaches to working with people with trauma, I provide space to integrate parts of self for a more holistic approach.
Mind-body approach
I use an integrative approach to therapy where you and I collaborate together on focusing on your unique needs. I work with you to learn acceptance and change strategies like DBT to help see what you are working with and focus on your goals. Using mindfulness strategies to help you get in touch with yourself and stay focused in the present, we may focus on body, breath, thinking brain, deeper wisdom body, or experience a flow state or joy and connection to self and others. I introduce ways for you to slow down and focus on your needs in the moment. I listen with compassion and help you process your own thoughts and feelings as related to your sensations and how to work with your system, not against it. We look at your past as related to your present and consider parts of self that influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as body, breath, and spirit. I introduce ideas for processing your feelings and experiences using nature, creativity, journaling, metaphor, movement, breathing, designing and experiencing your own safe space, and other forms of expression. I always provide choice as I am trauma informed and respect your need for choice in therapy and out there in the world.
12 ratings with written reviews
January 9, 2026
I feel extremely lucky to have found you as my therapist. Every time we have a session I always end up feeling great. Our session always feel safe and easy. The tools that I learn during our sessions have made a great impact in my life, Although I’m still in the beginning of my healing and understanding journey I can confidently say that it feels great knowing I have Francina at my side.
December 2, 2025
Francina is wonderful! I just had my first session and am very much looking forward to the next. She is warm, authentic, kind, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to speak to. I feel like I've known her for years. I'm excited to be on this journey and have someone like Francina in my corner :)
November 5, 2025
Francina is an amazing therapist! She's warm, inviting, and truly makes you feel heard and understood. She offers compassionate and realistic guidance and I always leave my sessions feeling supported, grounded, and clearheaded. I cannot recommend her enough!!