Lastenia Francis (she/her)

PhD, LMFT

Hi! I'm Lastenia Francis, PhD, LMFT. My passion is to help BIPOC families function in healthier ways by targeting traumatic experiences.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in New York

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples
  • Family
  • Adolescent/Teen
  • Group

About My Clients

I specialize in helping people of color drop their "masks" and become their best selves by addressing racial, physical, combat, and sexual trauma. These layers of trauma often show up in your marriage, relationships with your children, and employers. At Meaningful Emotion Therapy, I tackle these difficult topics so that when you engage with others you are being your authentic self while managing the different difficulties that come with being a person of color.

My Background and Approach

My goal is for you to be able to recognize the strengths that you have always had and help you apply those strengths to your daily interactions. So no matter what is going on in your life, you'll be able to recognize that you already have the tools within you. For the past 7 years, my practice has been focused on processing and managing the impact of different traumas. I have attended trainings that teach leading-edge techniques to tackle trauma. We'll address what is going on for you when you are triggered by a traumatic experience and get in touch with your thoughts and feelings as it impacts your interactions with others. You'll gain the ability to recognize what's happening to you emotionally and physically when you are experiencing a triggering moment and communicate how it's impacting you as well as shift the negative interaction from your family and partner and actually deal with what's coming up for you in the moment.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe that everyone has the ability to change when they are ready. Change is uncomfortable but necessary. If you are ready to commit to changing some of your behaviors then start therapy at Meaningful Emotion (ME). At ME, you are the priority, which means that it's important to figure out what experiences are meaningful to who you are today and who you want to become. Some experiences have caused you to develop unhealthy behaviors that are masked as protective factors against traumatic or triggering experiences. While my niche is with people of color, I don't discriminate against anyone. I make it a point to consider every lens, every background, and every identity that you hold when I provide therapy. If you want to learn more about how I can help, shoot me a message.

I offer online counseling in the following states:
I have experience with the following
  • Christianity

At A Glance

  • Experience: 10 years of practice
  • Languages: English
  • Rate: $200 - 250/session

Reach out to Lastenia