Frank De Gracia

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families build healthier relationships and experience lasting emotional healing. I earned my Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University and have worked in both community mental health and private practice, treating concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and relationship challenges. Before becoming a therapist, I spent more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, walking alongside individuals, couples, and families through some of life’s most difficult seasons. That experience shaped my passion for helping people understand the deeper emotional patterns that influence their thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. My primary areas of focus include couples counseling, communication and conflict resolution, rebuilding trust after betrayal, premarital counseling, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, grief, and major life transitions. I primarily work with adults, married and engaged couples, individuals, families, and Christian clients seeking faith-integrated counseling, and I also enjoy supporting pastors, ministry leaders, and helping professionals who face the unique pressures of caring for others.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs. I believe lasting change comes from understanding the deeper emotional patterns that drive our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships—not simply managing symptoms. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed interventions to help clients gain insight, heal from past experiences, strengthen relationships, and develop practical tools for everyday life. Whether we’re working through anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions, my goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful, lasting change. For clients who desire it, I also offer faith-integrated counseling that thoughtfully incorporates Christian principles into the therapeutic process.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation for meaningful change. We’ll spend time discussing what brought you to therapy, the challenges you’re currently facing, and what you hope to accomplish. I’ll ask questions about your personal history, relationships, and any significant life experiences that may be influencing your current concerns. Together, we’ll begin identifying patterns that may be keeping you stuck and develop a plan tailored to your goals. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, understood, and comfortable sharing at your own pace. By the end of our first session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the direction we’ll take in therapy and the next steps toward achieving the changes you’re seeking.