Patricia Jean-Francois received her MA in Mental Health Counseling from Alliance University, NY; specializing in the integration of Christian theology and psychology. For the past twenty years, Patricia has worked within a collegiate environment providing biblical instruction in Understanding Substance Abuse from A Biblical Perspective, professional development, mentoring, and academic skills coaching services. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents along with their families to decrease problematic symptoms and increase coping skills. Patricia has experience working with clients struggling with behavioral difficulties, Autism diagnoses, anger management, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, adjustment, trauma exposure as well as difficult family relations. She follows an eclectic approach based on therapeutic techniques that are centered on the client’s individuality to promote resilience. With the necessary tools fostered in a collaborative and safe therapeutic setting; Patricia believes “ A healed tongue is a tree life” (Proverbs 15:4). Thus, counseling is not the cure, but a partnership strengthened by therapeutic alliance to ensure the client’s well-being. To this end, Patricia works from a strength-based approach that includes psychosocial development theory, psychodynamics, gestalt and cognitive behavioral techniques. Patricia is a licensed-eligible clinician under supervision providing mental health services at Renaissance Middle School, Creekside High School, and ICCCS. Her life motto is to "pursue the passions your heart won’t regret on your deathbed.”
Education:
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies - Alliance University
Master of Arts - Mental Health Counseling - Alliance University
Master of Arts - Business Administration - Alliance University
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Patricia enjoys hiking, road trips, performing spoken word and quality time with friends and family.
Why is access to mental health services important?
Being able to access mental health is important because it helps individuals improve their self-image, relationships, communities and viewpoint towards the future.