MeetFrances2

Frances has been helping, teaching and inspiring her clients and students for over twenty years. Her unique approach to personal and professional growth affirms that we are creative beings capable of resolving life's problems - given the proper guidance and the desire to change.

During her career Frances has worked as an addictions counsellor; co-ordinated a government project addressing the issue of violence towards women; served as psychological consultant to a teen and seniors centre and guided hundreds of private clients on their journeys toward wellness and peace of mind.

She has conducted training for academic institutions, non-profit organizations and industry associations; presented at international conferences; conducted therapy in an award-winning documentary with the National Film Board of Canada and served as a guest expert on PBS, Videotron and Global Television.

She continues to teach and learn and remains fascinated by our capacity to grow and change, regardless of past or present circumstances . Her services span the range from traditional to alternative therapies and are covered by most extended health insurance plans. Summary of qualifications

Summary of Qualifications

-Broad experience with a wide range of client issues including anxiety, depression, post -traumatic stress and addictions. Twenty years’ experience delivering effective short and long - term psychotherapy to individuals, couples and groups.

-Dynamic presenter and facilitator in subjects relating to psychology, behaviour, personal and professional growth. Excellent ability to communicate with diverse populations and age groups. First guest expert to be invited for a return engagement on PBS Mountain Lake Television’s Health Exchange.

-Multi-dimensional approach to problem solving. Pioneered and conducted innovative program for the Montreal Regional Health Board using intuition training as a tool to help counteract violence against senior women. Presented project summary at Fourth Global Conference on Aging

-A commitment to personal and professional growth. Accepted the challenge (despite initial hesitation) of providing live, on-screen therapy in recent award-winning National Film Board documentary.

Education

2006 Tobacco Addiction Specialist (in progress), NAADC, Patient Support I nternational

2005 Emotional Freedom Techniques’ Training ( in progress), Video Workshops

2002 TeleClass Leader Training Program, TeleClass.com

1998 TESOL Teacher Training Certification, International TESOL Training , Ottawa, Ontario

1990 Master of Arts (Counseling Psychology)

Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois

1981 Yoga Teacher’s Certification, Sivananda Yoga Centre, Val Morin, Quebec

1975 Bachelor of Arts

Concordia University, Montreal Quebec

1969 Teaching Diploma

Macdonald College of McGill University

St. Anne de Bellevue, Québec

Professional Experience in Psychotherapy and Training

2004-2005

Substance Abuse Counsellor, Clearhaven Center, Chertsy, Quebec

Create and present psycho-educational programming, counsel clients at residential treatment center

1985-present

Private Practice in Psychotherapy, Montreal, Quebec

Short and long term psychotherapy with adults and teens

1985-present

Presenter and Trainer, LifeCounselling Services, Montreal/West Island

Create and present programs to meet unique needs of medical, professional and educational organizations. Topics include emotional intelligence, stress management, anger management, assertiveness skills for women, behaviour, family dynamics, performance enhancement and communication skills training

1997-present

Psychological Consultant, Contactivity Seniors Centre, Montreal, Quebec

Individual counselling with seniors regarding issues of loss; creation and presentation of workshops on assertiveness and stress management; intuition training for safety and self efficacy

1998-2000

Project Coordinator, Montreal Regional Health Board, Quebec

Curriculum development, teaching, needs assessment, multi-media presentation and design for this 3-year project aimed at countering violence toward senior women

1997-1998

Consultant and Staff Trainer, Project 10, Montreal, Quebec

Staff training, supervision of university students doing internships at resource center for youth and their families

Professional Experience in Teaching and Training

1985-1990

Teacher of Stress Management, John Abbott College,

St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec

1978-1985

Teacher and Supervisor of Patient Education, Shriners’ Hospital,

Montreal, Quebec

Taught students, trained university student-volunteers, supervised teaching staff, participated in multidisciplinary rounds regarding patients’ educational and psycho-social problems and treatment plans.

1977-1978

Elementary Teacher, grades 6 and 7,

United Talmud Torah Elementary School, Montreal, Quebec

1969-1973

Elementary Teacher, Grades 5 and 6,

School Board of Greater St. Martin, Montreal, Quebec

Recent Accomplishments

Solo, 60 minute documentary, National Film Board of Canada, 2003

Live on-screen therapy in award-winning documentary with client/director, Atif Siddiqi, counselling him to overcome fear of intimacy, trust himself and find love.

This Morning Live, Global Television, 2003

Interview about workshop series, “The Sandwich Generation.”

Health Exchange, Mountain Lake PBS Television, 2002

Guest expert on hour-long program “Managing Anger”

Health Exchange, Mountain Lake PBS Television, 2002

Guest expert on hour-long program “Your Aging Parents”.

Fourth Global Conference on Aging, 1999

Presenter: “Countering Violence Against Senior Women”

Longevity and Self-Esteem, 50 Plus, Videotron Television, 1998

Guest panelist with McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement

Hobbies

Digital photography, nature, web design, writing, sculpting, kayaking