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Services

I have experience working with adults, adolescents and couples who are struggling with a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, grief/loss, life transition, trauma/PTSD, eating disorders, body image issues, low self esteem, career development/transition, communication and relationship issues.  

Please refer to my 'Specialties' page to read more about my particular areas of specialty and interest. 

Individual Therapy
Individual therapy for adults and adolescents typically means meeting for 50 minutes, once or twice a week. 
People come to therapy for a variety of reasons and are often in need of different kinds of help. Following are some of the reasons people come to me, and the variety of ways in which I work:
  • Crisis and/or Help with an Immediate Situation
People may need help with an immediate crisis or event that is causing distress or difficulty in coping with their daily lives. In this case they may want an approach that is focused on addressing their current situation. 
  • Chronic Problems, Recurring Patterns, Dissatisfaction and Discord
Others may come in looking to explore ways to transform more chronic or recurring problems with issues like self esteem, relationship or communication problems, disordered eating, anxiety, depression and lack of motivation. These concerns may mean looking into deeper patterns and addressing painful or traumatic personal experiences or history. People grappling with these kinds of issues may want to meet more frequently, and may need longer-term, depth therapy to address these kinds of problems.
  • Self Development, Creativity, Discovery and Exploration
Additionally, people come to therapy looking for a way to find an authentic sense of self and to reach their full potential. They may want to explore or develop their creativity, feel more fulfilled in their career or relationships, and enrich their personal lives through a practice of deepening understanding of themselves and their relationships with others. This process can be enhanced and deepened in an authentic relationship with a therapist who can understand their process and goals.

Adolescents/Young Adults 
Young Adults and Adolescents face a unique set of challenges today, they are often struggling with academic pressure, the pressures of separation from parents and home, identity issues, body image and self-esteem problems, troubled peer relationships and substance abuse/addiction.  Most teens benefit from the opportunity to talk about their lives and their concerns with a non-judgmental therapist who can listen to their side of the story and help them to better understand their problems. Through being heard and understood they can learn to better cope with their circumstances and to communicate more effectively with others in their lives.  I have a strong interest in working with young women who are faced with the challenges of poor self esteem, body image issues, eating disorders and identity disturbance. 

Couples 
In my work with couples I strive to create a safe atmosphere to help partners explore their relationship and to communicate often very sensitive concerns.  By discovering and working with each partner’s relational patterns I help to facilitate a conversation in which each person can be heard, understood and acknowledged. With less defensiveness and more safety we work toward effecting the positive changes that lead to 
  • deepened intimacy,
  • more satisfying solutions, 
  • improved communication, 
  • more fulfilling connection, 
  • and increased trust. 

Both heterosexual and same sex couples seek therapy with me for a variety of concerns that may include communication problems, sexual issues, infidelity, money/finance, jealousy, anger, family issues and premarital concerns.

Phone Consultation
Please feel free to call and set up an initial, 20 minute phone consultation at no charge so that I can assess your circumstances and determine how I can best help you.  I will make every attempt to provide you with appropriate referrals if we decide not to work together. 

Alissa Di Franco, MFT
415.328-7031
5 A Surrey Street
San Francisco, CA 94131
alissadifranco@gmail.com