Frances "Francie" Pratte, LMFT

Frances "Francie" Pratte is a licensed marriage and family therapist who centers sessions on practical problem solving and clear steps forward. She draws on a mix of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered work, and solution-focused techniques to help people manage anxiety, stress, and low mood.

Francie believes clients are the experts on their own lives. She uses short, focused conversations to identify patterns that get in the way and then tries small, doable changes to test what helps. Parents and caregivers often come for help with overwhelm and role strain; others seek support for panic, relationship troubles, or feelings of guilt and shame.

Before becoming a therapist she worked as a registered nurse, which shaped her calm approach and comfort with life transitions. Her clinical background informs a practical style that values clear goals and step-by-step plans. Sessions tend to be straightforward and goal-oriented while staying responsive to each person’s pace.

Over 21 years of professional experience has given her a broad view of common stressors. She supports people facing job pressure, communication problems, and the strain of caregiving. Francie also offers guidance around pregnancy and childbirth related concerns, and first responder issues.

Francie holds a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential in California. She offers sessions in English and uses a mix of short-term strategies and longer conversations to help clients move toward clearer choices and better daily coping.

Using CBT and Client-Centered Tools Online

Frances combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered work to help people tackle clear problems and feel heard. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and trying new behaviors to reduce anxiety, panic, or low mood. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening, validation, and building on a person's own strengths to guide change.

She also uses solution-focused techniques that aim for small, practical steps you can try between sessions. Choosing the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then adjust methods so they fit what the person wants to work on.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging work well for quick support, progress updates, or ongoing problem solving between longer sessions. These options make it easier to schedule work into a busy life and to keep momentum between meetings.