Melissa Francis

Originally from Maryland, I moved to North Carolina in 2008 and recently to SC and have built both my professional life and my family roots here. I am the mother of two adult sons and the grandmother of two young girls, roles that deeply inform my compassion, steadiness, and commitment to helping others find their way through difficult seasons.

I earned my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gardner‐Webb University in 2018 and began my career as a hospice grief counselor, supporting individuals and families through loss for four years. Since 2021, I have worked in private practice, where I continue to provide trauma‐informed, client‐centered care. In my part‐time work, I am trained in Equilateral EMDR, an experiential modality that incorporates the healing presence of horses into the therapeutic process.

My counseling style is direct, compassionate, and firmly rooted in trauma‐informed practice. I integrate EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and a strong working knowledge of dissociation to help clients understand their internal experiences and move toward greater stability and self‐trust. I offer clear guidance while honoring each client’s pace, creating a therapeutic environment where honesty, safety, and deep emotional work can unfold. My approach supports clients in building regulation, strengthening internal resources, and developing a more grounded relationship with themselves.

In the first session, clients can expect a direct yet compassionate conversation focused on understanding their needs and establishing a sense of safety. I take time to learn what brings them to therapy, and what they’ve been carrying. My work in grief as well as being trauma‐informed, I move at a pace that feels manageable, offering clarity without pushing too fast.

I provide an overview of how I work—including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), grief work, and my understanding of dissociation—so clients know what tools are available as we move forward. We discuss goals, current symptoms, and any concerns about the therapeutic process. Clients can expect to leave the first session with a clearer picture of what therapy will look like, a sense of being heard, and the beginning of a collaborative plan for healing.