Dr. Francesca Ma

Hi, and welcome! My name is Francesca. I am a clinical psychologist, located in Durham, NC. I provide psychotherapy to adults navigating life’s challenges and transitions. In addition to general psychotherapy, I specialize in concerns related to women’s health, including concerns related to the perinatal period (e.g., prenatal and postpartum anxiety and depression, having a child in the NICU) , fertility challenges and treatment, reproductive changes, chronic illnesses (e.g., Type 1 Diabetes), and eating and body image concerns.

In our work, I aim to create a space that feels steady, compassionate, and honest—where we can slow things down and explore what you’ve been carrying. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility and respond to life’s challenges with clarity and purpose. I aim to help clients learn to relate to their thoughts and feelings in new ways, reconnect with the present moment, and take meaningful steps towards their values.

In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know you as a whole person—your current concerns, what’s been hard, and what matters most to you. We’ll explore patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may be contributing to distress, while beginning to build skills. We’ll also cover practical foundations: clarifying your goals for therapy, discussing how therapy can support those goals, and outlining an initial treatment plan so you know what to expect moving forward. By the end of the session, you can expect a clear sense of direction and a collaborative plan.