Francesca Papazis, LAPC, MPhilEd

CO-FOUNDER & LICENSED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

I believe you know yourself better than anyone else. I also believe humans are built for connection, and when you find a therapist that is the right fit for your needs, therapy can be healing. I specialize in working with women and LGBTQIA+ folks on anxiety, relationship challenges, sexuality/identity exploration, past/childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and attachment healing, though I am here to support you with any topics you choose to bring to session. I encourage safety and empowerment with my clients, compassionately challenging them to work toward their individual goals and embrace their intuitive sense of self.

I view therapy through an attachment-based and psychodynamic lens. I see the way our early experiences inform how we show up in relationships with others/ourselves. I use a feminist framework, validating how sociocultural identities and political environment impact wellness. I incorporate somatic, mind-body practices into my work, and I am sex-positive, nonjudgemental, and queer/gender affirming.

Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in a variety of social work settings with children and families. I facilitated evidence-based therapeutic interventions in a nonprofit setting for survivors and victims of sexual abuse. I was also a youth advocate and case manager for the Guardian ad Litem program in South Carolina, ensuring children in foster care had their needs met. I continue to work with a similar nonprofit in Philly and am sensitive to intergenerational trauma and traumatic stress caused by systems.

If you feel we would be a good fit, call or email (template included) to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. I have availability both in-person and virtually Monday - Friday and offer evening hours.

  • adults & teens

    • anxiety

    • attachment healing

    • relationship challenges

    • sex therapy

    • sexuality & gender exploration

    • LGBTQIA+

    • life transitions

    • somatic experiencing

    • past/childhood trauma and CPTSD

    • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

    • Feminist Therapy

    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

    • Somatic Therapy

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Psychodynamic Therapy

    • University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education - Master of Philosophy in Education (MPhilEd) in Professional Counseling

    • University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education - Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Counseling & Mental Health Services

    • College of Charleston, Honors College - Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology

    • Complex Trauma with Crystal Wildes, PsyD, LP (Dec. 2025)

    • Suicide is Not a Bad Word with Elyce Mandich, LCSW, PPSC (Oct. 2025)

    • Healing Disrupted Attachment Using PBSP with Linda Thai, LMSW, ERYT-200 (Jun. 2025)

    • Trauma-Sensitive Movement: Somatic Techniques to Support the Nervous System with Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MFT (Jun. 2025)

    • Embodied Healing for Developmental Trauma with Abi Blakeslee, PhD (Mar. 2024)

    • Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) for Trauma with Leanne Campbell, PhD (Mar. 2024)

    • When One Partner Has ADHD with Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA (Mar. 2024)

    • Undoing Aloneness in Relational Trauma with Diana Fosha, PhD (Mar. 2024)

    • Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication with David Nowell, PhD (Oct. 2023)

    • The 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families at The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (Jul. 2023)

    • Mindful Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training (RYT 200) at Mission Yoga in Charleston, SC (Apr. 2019)

  • I am supervised by Tasha Jackson, PhD, LPC while I accrue hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

    For more information about what it means to work with a provisionally licensed therapist, please visit our questions page.

  • e: francesca@cultivatecounselingcollective.com

    ph: ‪(267) 334-8169

Individuals - $140 (50-minute session)

Couples - $160 (60-minute session)

We aim to make therapy accessible and offer limited sliding scale spots. If cost is a prohibitive factor for you, please reach out for information on our sliding scale options. Francesca is also now in-network with Aetna insurance.

fees:

EMAIL ME TO SCHEDULE A CONSULT