" TO REACH YOUR GOALS FASTER, STOP WALKING AND START LEAPING. "
francesca anastasi
My Practice
Overview
I am a Mental Health Therapist for over 10 years, a mom of two, a mental health fitness coach and a human. I like to work with clients that want to change, that want results. I don't like to waste time so I like to suggest things that work; via personal anecdotes and science.
There are many therapist, coaches, healers out there so find someone who is a good fit for you. I am good fit for you if you like someone who is direct but caring; that tends to swear during sessions. I am originally from Chicago but now live in the mountains of WNC. I only make suggestions and use techniques that I know work because I have tried them myself and/or have evidence to back them up. I want to provide tangible tools, actions, next steps for my clients.
I use a variety of evidence-based techniques including EMDR and other somatic therapies to support my clients. But my speciality is EMDR.
My Approaches
• Therapist and Mental Fitness Coach, who seeks to combine the best of therapy, coaching and self-help.
• An approach to therapy, coaching and courses that focuses on addressing root causes of issues, beyond merely treating their symptoms.
• Involves exploring a client's feelings and identifying tools for creating positive change.
• Advocating for a holistic approach to mental health that incorporates healthy food, good sleep & positive social networks.
• Seeks to empower clients by helping them understand their uniqueness and what makes them feel fulfilled.
• Making changes to her own practice in order to have an impact on the world.
Entrance on West Side - building closest to Charlotte street
Success Stories
She has changed my life entirely. I was nervous to start therapy because of past experiences, but she completely changed my perspective on therapy. I don’t know where I would be mentally if it wasn’t for her helping me. I highly recommend her.
when I first started therapy I was incredibly nervous and unsure about it but after my first session with erin I felt incredibly comfortable and safe. She really changed the way I think about things and I probably wouldn't be where I am if I hadn't gone to her. She's a pretty incredible person and really knows what she's talking about! :)
Erin has been an invaluable support in my life! I feel safe, seen and understood by her. There is an authenticity about her that I’ve never experienced with any other therapist. She keeps is real and gets to the heart of the matter while still being gentle with my emotional self. I have never had a therapist tell me from the get go that if I don’t feel safe or seen with her, then she wouldn’t be offended at all if I discontinued meeting. She explained that her goal was for me to have the peace that I sought whether it was with her or another therapist. I knew right then how much she cared! I tend to feel awkward around people (which we are working through) and yet from the first deep breath with Erin, I feel completely at ease. She seems to know exactly when to ask a question and when silence is needed to allow me to find my words. Some days I feel like sitting and other days, I wanna lie down. Some days I have a fidget with me and other days, I fidget with items in her room. I feel totally accepted to be myself in all of the ways that I am with Erin.
EMDR
General Information
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. (EMDR institute website)
Websites : https://www.emdria.org/ https://www.emdr.com/
Introduction to EMDR: https://youtu.be/Pkfln-ZtWeY
What is EMDR?
Coaching option
Online Coaching Courses (insurance ineligible)
My Coaching course will empower you to transform your relationship with food and recognize, validate your emotions instead of avoiding or numbing them.
Why my approach?
Because we're working at getting to the root of the emotional eating; not depriving yourself, not counting calories for the rest of your life - instead let's create a real consistent mind shift around your relationship with food
If your relationship with food is causing you distress and lowering the quality of your life, then this course is for you. Get the jump start you need to take back your control and power.
If you need support but are looking for an option rather than weekly therapy then coaching is the way to go.
Digital Courses
If an interactive journal does not fit your needs, I also offer supplemental digital courses that offer real world skills. Digital courses offer greater flexibility versus a weekly or monthly one-on-one coaching session and allows the learner to rewatch as many times as they like. Digital courses can offer the information and validation that you are looking for. (check out my free video on grounding techniques)