We all have a story

Here's a little bit of my story...

When I was 6 years' old I watched Fantasia, the animated musical anthology by Walt Disney. I was captivated by The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy- 2 minutes and 25 seconds of pure magic before my very eyes. To me it was the most exquisite thing I had ever experienced and I knew, even at age 6, that I wanted to dance with light and create magic like those fairies did. The energy, colour, music and story of transformation within those few minutes has remained an inspirational touchstone for me as my life has unfolded, including creating experiences which restore and transform- a theme which underpins everything I do; from a career in dance and choreography, my experience of Motherhood, and in my work as a therapist where I help people reconnect to their own inner magic, through welcoming forgotten parts of themselves back into the light where in turn, they begin to experience themselves differently; they remember who they always were and their self-perception is transformed.

Everything transforms through light

When you reconnect to yourself this way, you become the one with the 'magic'. Everything changes as your perception of yourself changes, and how you experience life will also transform; this is how you unlock your potential.

So whatever inner stories (aka old programming from the past) are currently shaping your world and blocking you from creating what you want in life and living your potential, it's now time to get conscious of them as you begin your own story of transformation. I am excited for you

Let's Work Together
Headshot of Chantal Francis BACP registered psychotherapist based in Reading, UK
Headshot of Chantal Francis BACP registered psychotherapist based in Reading, UK

"Creating Experiences Where People Remember Who They are"

Qualifications, training and experience

I am a Level 7 qualified Integrative psychotherapist MBACP

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I work within the BACP's professional framework.

My additional training and qualifications include:

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).

  • Somatic Therapy practitioner.

  • Certification in Purpose coaching.

  • Therapeutic movement practitioner.

In addition to my private practice, I have worked across a variety of settings with a range of issues including Anxiety and Depression, Work related stress and Burn out, Bereavement and loss, Abuse, Low Self-esteem, relationship issues, parenting struggles, chronic illness, pain management and postnatal depression .

a cup of refreshing tea against an open window giving a sense of calm at Chantal Francis Therapy
a cup of refreshing tea against an open window giving a sense of calm at Chantal Francis Therapy
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Therapeutic modalities

Here are the various therapy modalities I offer to support each client's individual journey.

ACT- Acceptance Commitment therapy

ACT is a talking therapy which helps you develop psychological flexibility, meaning you learn how to recognise the role your emotions play in your life, but you no longer become a prisoner to them. It reduces emotional overwhelm, increases mental clarity, reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and helps you move beyond difficult experiences in a meaningful way so that you can still meet your goals and set new ones aligned with your values. It can be helpful for overcoming procrastination.

Somatic Practice

‘Soma’ means ‘body’. Somatic practices are body-based therapeutic practices that help connect you to what’s going on in your body and become present to its sensations. The techniques I use include using your breath and movement to support self-regulation. Learning about the relationship between your body and brain and how the 2 are in constant dialogue through your autonomic nervous system, enables you to change your mental state through changing your physiological state.

Person-Centred

Person-centred therapy is exactly that- it is customised to create a therapy experience bespoke to your personal situation and needs, where you get to explore and reflect on what has shaped you as a person and deepen your self-awareness.

IFS- Internal family Systems

Your environment, thoughts, mood and behaviour are all interlinked. When you experience any situation, good or bad, it leads to beliefs being formed and emotions being generated. You then operate physiologically based on that programming, even once the original situation is long gone and no longer true in your present. IFS is a form of ‘Parts work Therapy’ which helps you identify those unconscious ‘parts’ of yourself still operating from a place in the past and playing out emotional and behavioural patterns that are limiting you in your present and making life hard for you. Once you update and integrate those ‘parts’, you can respond to each moment with the fresh consciousness of your present self, rather than reacting from old subconscious self-protective defences.

CAT- Cognitive Analytical therapy

CAT is a talking therapy that looks at relationship patterns and how your early life experiences influence how you relate to others now as an adult, and how you treat yourself. It identifies the emotional and behavioural patterns you are carrying and whether they are helping or hindering you in life. It is a perfect companion to Somatic work and IFS in helping you update past programming held within your mind and body that is limiting your quality of life, and supports you to create more fulfilling connection with yourself and the people around you.

The power of your inner stories can help you flourish or keep you stuck, which will you choose?

Let's Talk

Sessions with Chantal gave me a reference to what feeling grounded felt like for myself, something I’d never really had a sense of. I’m in a very different place now mentally and physically and am able to enjoy life on a whole new level.

Client Testimonial

Chantal Francis Therapy

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