Sherlyn FrankLCSW

My specialism is mood disorders (depression & anxiety) and over the years mindfulness and meditation has had a positive impact on my work. As a Vipassana meditator, I am able to integrate evidenced-based Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) into my work with positive results. MBCT seeks to teach people to disengage from the deeply ingrained dysfunctional thoughts that are common with depression. When the mind wanders, the meditator ideally takes note of where it goes, and calmly returns to the moment at hand, perhaps focusing on their breath or bodily sensations. One characteristic of depression is a habit of thinking negatively about experiences, one's self or the future. Mindfulness trains people to be more aware of these thoughts and to stand back and simply observe their thoughts passing through their minds instead of blaming themselves for having the thought or emotion.

I am a seeker, and my intention is to support clients in identifying and honoring the answers and truths that they discover within themselves. I am a conscientious, reflective, and thoughtful practitioner whose training, education and experiences are grounded in the intuitive knowing that we all possess. As a clinician, I honor and respect my client’s ability to know the truth; it is often a fearful and fiery process, but I believe that through the power of our feelings we can tap into an infinite eternal awareness through self-love and self-acceptance. I want to help Black people, children and families rediscover their relationship with their mind, body, and spirit.

I wish that people knew that therapy is a routine and preventative form of healthcare. Therapy helps to train your mind and supports the building of healthy relationships. Hesitancy is a normal reaction from someone who has never experienced a therapeutic relationship. You do not have to be in crisis to go to therapy. Therapy is for anyone wanting to learn more about themselves; suffering from symptoms of mental health; wanting help to achieve their goals; wanting more meaningful relationships; needs someone to listen; and to process major life events.

• California, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 79605
• New York, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 071491

My early childhood shaped my desire to understand the family systems that raised us and the influence that this has on our development through life's stages. I was a teenager with a lot of emotional angst that was expressed through music and the creative arts. My interest in the fields of social work, mental health, and psychology stem from a need to understand not only myself but the trauma I experienced. I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed in California and New York with 25 years of experience working with children, families, and adults in the areas of child welfare, psychosocial assessments, behavioral health, forensic & medical social work, and management. I also specialized in international social work in London, UK as the sole member of an LLC, Specialist Assessment Services consulting for and managing non-profit teams and private organizations for six (6) of my fifteen (14) years residing abroad. I have over 10 years of licensed psychotherapy experience specializing in working with children, adolescents, and high-functioning adults in the areas of trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression.