Francesca Cottone

Do you feel anxious, overwhelmed, and on edge? Are you wanting a safe space to discuss life’s challenges? Are you longing for a space where you can feel understood and heard? Francesca can support you! Francesca appreciates how challenging it can be to cope with the variety of challenges and stressors life can bring. Francesca is passionate about helping her clients find a balance in their life that allows them to meet their goals and be their most authentic self. Francesca is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Certified Rape Crisis Counselor. She received her Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Saint Louis University. Over the past four years, she has served clients in various settings, providing crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and individual, family, couples, and group therapy services. Francesca works with a diverse range of clients and utilizes her skillset to support children, teens, adults, couples, and families throughout their journey through a holistic lens, while looking at the “whole person” in her practice. Francesca is passionate about supporting those struggling with anxiety, anxiety related disorders (social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, self-esteem, body image, body dysmorphic disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, life transitions (school, motherhood, friendship, family, marriage, divorce, career, etc), relational difficulties, stress management, communication skills, chronic illness, and trauma. Francesca has a solid foundation in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure therapy (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy. These approaches combined with a holistic approach have proven effective in helping clients navigate their challenges and develop the necessary tools to thrive. By tailoring treatment plans to each client's unique needs and goals, Francesca strives to create a safe and collaborative environment for her client's personal growth and progress. In Francesca's experience, both professionally and personally, she has witnessed the transformative power of empathy and compassionate support. She firmly believes that true growth occurs when individuals feel heard and valued. Francesca's clients describe her style as warm, genuine, wholistic, and compassionate. Francesca views therapy as a partnership. She is committed to partnering with you, using an integrative approach, so that you can feel comfortable, build trust, and develop an understanding of your individualized goals. It is Francesca's goal to make this space a place where you can begin to process all of life’s ups and downs, while feeling empowered to be your true, authentic self. During her free time, Francesca loves swimming, running, cooking, reading, and binge watching the latest show.