At her Sacramento, California, practice, Francine Farrell, LMFT, offers counseling for individuals and couples working through the effects of trauma. In addition to being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Francine is a Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor and trained in Harville Hendrix methods of Imago Therapy. By providing steady, compassionate support, she helps clients take action toward healing instead of feeling stuck in painful patterns.
Understanding How Trauma Shows Up
Trauma doesn’t always come from one specific event. It might follow a sudden loss or violence, but can also be caused by childhood neglect or long-term medical struggles. For some people, trauma takes the form of anxiety or fear. For others, it shows up as disconnection, relationship struggles, irritability, or feeling numb. There isn’t just one way trauma looks or feels, and Francine understands that no two clients’ experiences are alike.
Rather than focusing only on symptoms, Francine helps clients make sense of how their feelings inform their actions. She listens carefully to understand each person’s unique story and works collaboratively to identify patterns that may be holding them back from feeling steady and confident in daily life.
Bringing Together Trauma Therapy, Addiction Counseling, And Relationship Work
Many people dealing with trauma also find themselves resorting to addictive behaviors, whether it’s substances, relationships, or other habits. Francine’s training as a Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor allows her to guide clients through both areas without judgment or rigid expectations. Her approach doesn’t force anyone into a single path, but experiments with what helps most and adjusts along the way.
Trauma doesn’t only affect the person who experienced it. It can create distance or conflict in close relationships. For couples, Francine offers trauma-informed relationship counseling using Imago Therapy techniques. Through this work, partners learn how to communicate more openly, support each other, and rebuild trust when trauma has complicated things.
What To Expect From Working Together
Francine provides both in-person and online counseling for clients in Sacramento and throughout California. Sessions focus on understanding triggers, building resilience, and finding practical steps that help right now, not just months later. That might mean developing emotional regulation skills, improving communication, or learning to notice and pause before old habits take over.
Clients are active participants in their own progress. Francine doesn’t simply listen and nod. She offers practical strategies, honest feedback, and a steady reminder that even long-standing challenges can shift with consistent attention.
Start the Process Without Pressure
If trauma has made it difficult to move forward, whether personally or in your relationships, Francine Farrell, LMFT, provides a space to work through it at your own pace. Her practice in Sacramento, California, offers flexible options, including online sessions, so clients can choose what feels most comfortable. If you’re looking for help with trauma, call (916) 971-1159.