Meet the Team

Email : frances@gmstherapy.com

Psychotherapist

Frances has over a decade of experience offering therapy throughout the lifespan. With a growing focus on relational therapy, she is passionate about promoting emotional growth and cultivating secure connections. 

Frances approaches therapy with kindness and empathy. She is committed to cultivating  a courageous space for individuals and families to feel seen, heard, and validated, allowing them to “grow and love well.”

Frances recognizes the strengths, challenges, and wisdom within every individual, child, young person, caregiver, and family. She draws on her comprehensive clinical experience and advanced training to customize integrated therapeutic interventions and meet clients' unique needs. 

Frances acknowledges the dynamic nature of the therapeutic journey, acknowledging its emotional highs and lows. She is dedicated to providing a supportive environment, offering reassurance, encouragement, and guidance as clients navigate their experiences, gain insights, develop skills, resolve issues, and enhance their mental well-being and relationships.

Central to Frances's approach is the belief in honoring the innate wisdom within each client, fostering healing from within. She employs a compassionate yet direct approach, empowering clients to explore their unique experiences, ideas, and emotions. By fostering a connected environment, she assists clients in effectively working through challenges and emotions

While much of her work is grounded in infant and early childhood wellness and parenting, Frances also extends her services to young adults, college-aged students, and adults navigating depression, anxiety, grief, and different phases of change. Frances integrates Psychodynamic, Trauma-Informed, Attachment-Based, Emotionally Focused, Brain-Based, and Solution-Focused approaches. 

Frances is trained in the following evidence-based models:

• Mothers and Babies (Perinatal period until - 12 months postpartum)

• Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator (Parenthood Transition)

• Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention (Infancy -24 months)

• Circle of Security Parenting Program (Infancy - 6 years old)

• Circle of Security Classroom Approach (Early Childhood Education Teachers) 

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy-Toddler (12 months -24 months)

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (24 months - 6 years old) 

• Child-Parent Psychotherapy (Infancy - 6 years old)

• Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (Lifespan)

• Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (Lifespan)

• Brainspotting (Lifespan)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Education:

• La Sierra University, Bachelor in Social Work (BSW)

• University of Connecticut, Masters in Social Work (MSW)

• Georgetown University, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate (IECMH-C)

Affiliations:

• Mary's Center, Clinical Supervisor 

• Georgetown University, Department of Psychiatry,  CPR^2 Program Group Facilitator 

• New Leaders Council (NLC),  2024 Washington, DC Chapter Fellow

Frances is a bilingual (Spanish-English) independently licensed mental health provider in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. She also offers parenting and early childhood educator groups and workshops.