Speaker 0:30

My name's Carissa Francis. My business is Francis Wellness Services, and I am a licensed clinical social worker, which means I provide mental health services to women, teens, adults, struggling with all sorts of different issues. Mainly focus on trauma as well as perinatal mental health.

Speaker 2 0:50

Wow, that's amazing. I can't wait to learn just more about everything you do. So to get us started, you know, for listeners learning about Francis Wellness for the first time, can you share a little bit about your background and what led you into the mental health field?

Speaker 1:06

Yeah, absolutely. Um, so I actually started out in criminology. Um, but after working in the field for just a little bit, I quickly realized that was not for me. So I head back to school. I got my master's in social work, and then I went into the counseling field.

Speaker 2 1:22

Okay. Awesome. What a journey. And the rest has been history, right?

Speaker 1:26

Oh, absolutely. Yes. It's been a journey.

Speaker 2 1:28

Cool. And you've shared that you were drawn to helping people move forward and break generational trauma cycles. What about that work feels especially meaningful to you?

Speaker 1:42

Yeah, I mean when I first started in the criminology field and working with people kind of more like in the juvenile, like detention centers and stuff, I quickly realized just how impactful their traumas have been on them and that they weren't really given the opportunity to like heal and move past those. So they were often like stuck, repeating a lot of the same like. Patterns and just dysfunctional cycles that maybe like their families and stuff have been in prior. And so that's what really ultimately like led me back to school of just wanting to learn more about that and wanting to be able to like help people move on from that. Um, so that's what eventually led me into more of like the trauma based modalities and eventually into something called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, which stands. For EMDR, which is a really cool trauma-focused therapy healing modality that I like to use with a lot of my patients.

Speaker 2 2:37

Okay. That's really interesting. How neat. And with that, you know, Francis Wellness now supports teens and adults through challenge challenges like anxiety. Trauma OCD, life transitions and reproductive mental health. How would you describe the heart of your practice and the kind of support you aim to provide for your clients?

Speaker 2:59

Yeah, I'd say the heart of my practice is really just like client-centered care. I want people to feel comfortable working with me. A lot of times they've been to maybe other providers in the past, not necessarily other therapists. Just other people in their life who maybe have like maybe invalidated what they were going through, maybe downplayed it, minimized it, and it wasn't really like a warm, welcoming environment to really kind of like dive into their challenges. So that's what I strive to do, is just create a place that they feel really like safe and opening up and talking through things.

Speaker 2 3:31

Of course. I love how you mentioned the safe space.'cause we all need help sometimes. Absolutely. And, um, just being able to open up and, and have that trust. I, I think that is such key in, in your field. And one of the things you mentioned that was so powerful is that sometimes it's not just about what a client says, but about watching their growth unfold over time. What is it like to walk alongside someone as they reach milestones? They once felt unsure they could handle.

Speaker 4:00

Oh, it really is the greatest honor and joy of the work that I do. It's what keeps me going in this field. Um, a lot of times people ask like, how can you do the work that you do when you're hearing like all these terrible things all the time? But it's, it is watching them overcome those challenges that keep you going because it really is just so meaningful. Just seeing them, one point in time coming into your office saying like, I can't possibly do this thing. It's too scary, it's too hard. You know, I don't think I'm like. Worth anything. I, I just can't. And then to just watch them, like overcome those limiting beliefs have just, it's really amazing to see

Speaker 2 4:35

what a full circle moment I'm sure that is, to, to be a part of that and make that impact happen. Um, so, um, people can live life and enjoy it to, to a higher extent. Your client base has evolved over the years from working primarily with children to now supporting more young adults and adults in their twenties through forties. How has that evolution shaped you as a therapist?

Speaker 4:58

Yeah, I'd really say it probably very much kinda like mirrored my own journey and what I was like maybe going through. So when I first started I was primarily seeing like children, um, teens. Then as I kind of like learned more about different, like, mental health approaches and maybe like, just maybe going through my own life experience or like others around me, just watching them kind of go through some things. It led me to like wanna seek like more supports, more resources, more training and everything. And so, it really just kind of evolved over time. So I started seeing more young adults helping them work through various like traumas and stuff. I learned about EMDR. Went and got some additional training for that. And then at that time I actually got pregnant with my son and experienced my own birth trauma and just realized how, like, how important maternal mental health is. And so then that's what. Just kind of led me to then seeking additional training in the perinatal mental health field. So really has kind of like just followed my own personal journey over time as well.

Speaker 2 6:05

Wow that's really awesome. Um, being able to have your own personal experiences and then reflect on that and see how you can help others from that. I think that is truly inspiring. And mental healthcare continues to evolve. And one of the topics you brought up was the growing role of ai. What are your thoughts on more people turning to AI for emotional support and why is that different from working with a licensed therapist?

Speaker 6:32

Yeah, that's such a good question. It's something that comes up quite often and I think it's absolutely going to evolve over time. Um, I think right now I'm seeing a lot of. Clients use it, maybe almost like self-help ways, maybe they're using it to kind of like journal, maybe write out some thoughts, kind of make some connections between things. And I don't necessarily have like a problem with that. I think where the challenge can lie is if someone's just relying on it constantly as they're like one method of support, that's when we can see like problems start to arise. We wanna make sure that every person has like a diverse. Kind of like toolbox of different coping strategies that they can use. And we wanna make sure that some of those involve like real people that can like check in on them and help support them and stuff. So I think like in moderation, things like AI can be useful with some like just self-development, but always wanna make sure that you're still working alongside someone who can support you more in real life.

Speaker 2 7:32

Absolutely. I think having that human connection, there's, there's nothing better than that. And leaving it to the pros to really just diagnose the situation. Yes. I think you get so much more out of it. So I love that this topic was brought up. It can definitely be a little tool, but not as a full

Speaker 7:50

no

Speaker 2 7:50

solution. No,

Speaker 7:51

absolutely not.

Speaker 2 7:53

And you also mentioned seeing a shift back toward in-person therapy after such a strong move to virtual care during COVID, what do you think people are craving again in face-to-face sessions?

Speaker 8:07

Yeah, I really think it is just that human connection that they're looking for. Um. I think virtual therapy is, is great but we are definitely seeing more and more people wanna come back into the office. And I know it's something that I personally prefer as well. I'm definitely happy to do whatever like the client is most comfortable with, but I do feel like just having that in person connection, being able to kind of just be in each other's space, be able to feel each other's energy, that it comes through a lot better when you're together in person. Instead of the virtual.

Speaker 2 8:40

Absolutely. I completely agree. And I do think, however, virtual being an option during COVID was an amazing thing. Oh,

Speaker 8:47

absolutely.

Speaker 2 8:48

Um, and it's, it's still still a great option mm-hmm. For people who may prefer that. Mm-hmm. But I definitely see what you're saying and I think that the face-to-face is just, I think that's the way to go. Mm-hmm. In a lot of cases and. You're preparing to launch EMDR intensives, which is such an exciting development. Can you share a little more about what EMDR intensives are and what inspired you to begin offering them through Francis Wellness?

Speaker 9:16

Yeah, absolutely. So I am. Super excited about EMDR intensives. It's been something that I've been looking at for a while now, so I'm super excited to launch that later this year. Um, so EMDR intensives are just a great way for people to come in and kind of really jumpstart the healing process. So sometimes a person starts therapy and it could take, you know, it could take months. It could take years to kind of work through some of these challenges, because typically when we meet, it's like a 50 minute session and you can only talk about so much stuff during a 50 minute session, and then you're not seeing them again until maybe the next week. And then sometimes people get sick, sometimes they have to miss appointments. So you're not always. Seeing them as often as maybe you would like, and so intensives offer the opportunity to come in together and work intensively over like one or two issues over a period of like one to three days to really do a deep dive into this stuff, to really help them kind of move through it at a much quicker. So that can be really life changing for people. Especially like, people are hurting and they're like suffering. And so if we can provide them that relief quicker, it's just, you know, it's so powerful. It's so impactful, not just for them, but it also has that like trickle down effect on like their families as well to just get them feeling better faster.

Speaker 2 10:38

Absolutely. That's such a fascinating treatment to be able to offer. That's truly wonderful. And I also like what you said about how it affects our family and our friends too. Yeah. When you're feeling good, it makes other people feel good. Yes. I'm a firm believer that you gotta take care of yourself to be able to take care of others.

Speaker 10:54

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 10:56

And your website also highlights animal assisted therapy?

Speaker 3 11:00

Yes.

Speaker 2 11:01

And you shared how therapy dogs help break the ice for many clients, especially during the pandemic. How have animals helped create comfort and connection within your work?

Speaker 11:12

Yeah, that's such a good question. Yeah. So during the pandemic it was, you know, we saw such an increase in the mental health crisis. There's already a mental health crisis, but it was very much magnified by COVID. And so there are a lot of parents, you know, reaching out and trying to get their children into therapy, but that can be kind of hard sometimes. A lot of children can be kind of resistant to wanting to go to therapy, but once that they heard that there was a dog involved, they were much more willing to come in. So that's been really cool. That was, um. One thing that I did relatively like early in my career after working at another practice and them having a therapy dog and just thinking that was the coolest thing. So as soon as I got dogs, I like quickly got them trained and was bringing them to work with me. So, um. Clients love it, and not just kids, like even my young adults, my adults, they just offer such a calming presence and it can just be very grounding for the client can help them really just kind of like relax and ease into the session. Knowing that like, okay, it doesn't have to be this like awkward formal process. Like there's a dog here I can play with the dog, I can lay with the dog, I can cuddle it, and it just really helps them just. Really be present.

Speaker 2 12:24

Yeah, definitely. Just more comforting. Mm-hmm. I love that. Super, super cool. And starting therapy, like you said, it can feel intimidating for some people. When someone first reaches out to Francis Wellness, how do you help make that process feel safe, supported, and approachable?

Speaker 12:43

Yeah, absolutely. So I always start with a consultation call and that's an opportunity just for us to like hop on the call together, go over a couple things and see like, do we think it's gonna be a good fit? So I'm asking them a little bit like about them, what's bringing them in and what they hope to work on. And then whenever they come in for that first session, I'm really trying to make them see like, you know, this is a safe place, this is a comfortable place, it's private, it's a beautiful office space. Snacks, there's drinks, here's the restroom. Really just trying to like welcome them in and show them that like this place is here for them. And then it's always like a collaborative process, so I'm always checking in with them, seeing what you know, what do they wanna work on? Really giving them that like choice in that autonomy, in this space so that they know that like you have full control over. Like, you know what we talk about, what we do here.

Speaker 2 13:35

That's a great point of kind of saying you're in full control. Mm-hmm. Um,'cause they truly are and you're just there to kind of help guide them along. Yeah. So that's wonderful. Outside of the clinical side of therapy, your work clearly requires a great deal of empathy, presence, and emotional steadiness. What helps you stay grounded so you can continue showing up well for others?

Speaker 13:57

Yeah, that's such a good question and so important in our profession as well as, everyone's profession, but. For me, it's time in nature that's incredibly important. So just a little bit of time outside each day, whether that's just like five minutes of just like standing outside, looking up at the stars, going on a walk, whatever it is, just so that I can like pause and reconnect with nature. That's. A really big one for me. Other ones include just spending time with my family. Um, maybe some journaling, sometimes some meditation. But I'm never really like super strict about any particular one. It's just about trying to find like one or two things that can fit into the day that help me just kind of, you know, calm my own nervous system.

Speaker 2 14:42

For sure. And I think that's a great piece of advice for all of us to just take a few minutes for yourself and just build that kind of grounding connection. Beautiful. And looking ahead, what are your goals for Francis Wellness and what kind of impact do you hope to continue making through your work?

Speaker 15:00

Yeah, I think one of my biggest goals is just to launch these intensives. I really think it can be an incredible way for people to move forward. I really want to see that kind of become one of my like main focuses over the next few years. And really I'm open to seeing how it evolves from there. Just, you know, my path has kind of like changed a little bit over the past 10 years, so I'm open to seeing what the next 10 years is gonna look like.

Speaker 2 15:27

Yeah. We're always growing and learning every single day.

Speaker 15:30

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 15:31

Um, and it's so amazing to be able to look back and see how far you've come and how it has just evolved over time.

Speaker 15:36

Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 2 15:38

And for listeners who may be navigating anxiety, trauma OCD life transitions or another difficult season and are interested in learning more, where can they find Francis Wellness and connect with you?

Speaker 15:52

Yeah, absolutely. So you can find me on Instagram at Francis Wellness. Um, I also have a Facebook page. I'm not like, as active on there. Um, and then you can also visit my website, francis wellness.com and there's tons of free blogs as well as some newsletters that people can sign up for.

Speaker 2 16:08

Okay, awesome. Lots of ways to reach out.

Speaker 16:11

Absolutely.

Speaker 2 16:13

As we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to add that I haven't touched on today?

Speaker 16:17

No, I don't think so. Just really wanting to encourage people that if they're needing support to please reach out. Doesn't have to be me, but to, to somebody please. Just our mental health is so important and just wanting to make sure that people get connected to care.

Speaker 2 16:32

Absolutely. It truly is the core of everything we do. Um, and we need to put it first. So thank you for putting that out there.

Speaker 16:39

Yeah, absolutely. Thank you so much for having me on.

Speaker 2 16:41

Of course. Yeah. Thank you so much, Carissa for joining me on the podcast today and sharing your knowledge and inspiring story with us. I wish you the very best in all that comes your way in the future.

Speaker 16:53

Thank you so much.

Speaker 2 16:54

Thank you.