- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
About Frances
Frances "Francie" Pratte is a California licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 21 years of clinical experience. She blends practical talk and active listening to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, anger, and low self-esteem.
Francie draws on her background as a registered nurse and long clinical practice to keep sessions focused and concrete. She treats issues connected to caregiving stress, communication problems, first responder challenges, panic attacks, pregnancy and childbirth, life purpose, and feelings of guilt and shame.
Her work centers on the person's own knowledge of their life. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to follow what matters most to the person and to build on existing strengths. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify thinking patterns that feed anxiety or shame and then test small behavioral changes.
Solution-Focused Therapy guides brief goal-setting and practical steps people can try between sessions. Sessions often look like problem clarification, trying one or two simple strategies, and reviewing what worked or didn't.
Francie encourages straightforward discussion about feelings and behaviors. She asks questions, offers reflections, and suggests exercises people can use day to day. The emphasis is on usable tools and steady progress rather than technical labels.
How therapeutic approaches guide online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's own goals and experience. The therapist follows what the person brings, listens closely, and helps clarify what matters most. This approach is useful for exploring feelings of guilt or questions about life purpose.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It identifies unhelpful thoughts that feed anxiety or shame and tests small behavior changes to see if things shift. CBT is often used for panic attacks, anxiety, and low mood.
Solution-Focused Therapy aims for short-term, practical steps. Sessions set clear goals and try specific experiments between meetings to build momentum and reduce overwhelm.
Choosing the best approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss needs, goals, and preferences and help decide which methods to try first. That conversation is collaborative and can change over time as goals evolve.
Confirm current online session options before booking, since formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten travel time, allow a quick check-in during a lunch break, or reduce the need for being on camera. Those practical advantages help people keep therapy consistent with everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
Francie works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, anger, and self-esteem issues. She also addresses caregiver stress, first responder issues, panic attacks, pregnancy and childbirth concerns, life purpose, and guilt and shame.
How does she approach shame and guilt?
She uses straightforward conversation to understand how guilt or shame shows up in daily life. Techniques from CBT and solution-focused work help test thoughts and try small changes.
What is her professional background?
She has 21 years of professional experience and previously worked as a registered nurse alongside her clinical practice. That background shapes a practical, task-oriented approach.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California. The credential shown is LMFT.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with people outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to get started?
Click the See online therapy options button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.