Frances Fisher, LMSW, CTRS, RYT-200
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
I am Frances and I am passionate about supporting people in their innate capacity to heal and live a life aligned with personal values. As a therapist, I strive to create a client-centered space focused on empowering individuals to take meaningful action towards their personal goals. I completed my undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Over the last decade I have worked as a recreation therapist in adolescent mental health starting my career at The Menninger Clinic overseeing leisure and group programming that included teaching DBT Skills for their Adolescent Treatment Program and then as the lead recreation therapist for the PATH Program at UT Health, an outpatient treatment program focused on addressing the intersection of chronic medical conditions and mental health needs of children and adolescents. During this time, I sought deeper learning about the interplay between mind, body, and spirit and completed a 200-hour yoga teach training with Black Swan Yoga and completed additional training in trauma-informed yoga with the Sundara Foundation in Austin, Texas. In 2024, I accomplished a long-time goal and graduated from the University of Houston with a Master’s degree in Social Work. While I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults, I enjoy working with people of all ages and backgrounds
In my free time, I enjoy yoga, reading, being out in nature and spending time with family and friends.
Supervised by Jennifer Edwards, LCSW-S
LOCATION
DBT Center: 1348 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX. 77008
Telehealth: All of Texas
Trauma can be invasive, impacting your interactions with those you love and interact with. The lingering effects of childhood abuse, the aftermath of a natural disaster, or the scars left by an abusive relationship, trauma can leave lasting imprints that affect how we relate to others. Trauma shapes our reactions and we can often be confused about why we are responding the way we are.
The Impact of Trauma
1. Trust Issues: One of the most common effects of trauma is difficulty trusting others. Whether due to betrayal in past relationships or a sense of vulnerability from past experiences, trauma survivors may struggle to believe in the intentions of others. This can lead to hesitancy in forming new relationships or maintaining existing ones. You may find yourself suspicious of even those closest to you and doubting their loyalty and caring for you.
2. Communication Challenges: Trauma survivors may find it hard to express their emotions or needs clearly, or they may misinterpret the intentions of others. Sometimes they may not be able to identify what they are feeling or needing and push away out of fear when actually they need support.
3. Emotional Regulation: Managing emotions can be particularly challenging for trauma survivors. Intense emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness may surface unexpectedly, leading to conflicts or emotional distancing in relationships. Learning to regulate emotions is key to navigating these challenges.
4. Impact on Intimacy: Some survivors may avoid closeness altogether, fearing vulnerability or repeating past negative experiences. They may be so fearful of betrayal or rejection that they cannot allow closeness. Others may struggle with boundaries or experience difficulties in feeling safe and secure in intimate relationships.
Healing and Growth in Relationships
While trauma can pose significant challenges to relationships, it's important to recognize that healing and growth are possible:
1. Seeking Support: One of the most common effects of trauma is difficulty trusting others. Whether due to betrayal in past relationships or a sense of vulnerability from past experiences, trauma survivors may struggle to believe in the intentions of others. This can lead to hesitancy in forming new relationships or maintaining existing ones. You may find yourself suspicious of even those closest to you and doubting their loyalty and caring for you.
2. Communication Challenges: Trauma survivors may find it hard to express their emotions or needs clearly, or they may misinterpret the intentions of others. Sometimes they may not be able to identify what they are feeling or needing and push away out of fear when actually they need support.
3. Emotional Regulation: Managing emotions can be particularly challenging for trauma survivors. Intense emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness may surface unexpectedly, leading to conflicts or emotional distancing in relationships. Learning to regulate emotions is key to navigating these challenges.
4. Impact on Intimacy: Some survivors may avoid closeness altogether, fearing vulnerability or repeating past negative experiences. They may be so fearful of betrayal or rejection that they cannot allow closeness. Others may struggle with boundaries or experience difficulties in feeling safe and secure in intimate relationships.
Are you ready to start your recovery? We are ready to help, to walk the steps with you.
Call us at 713-973-2800 or fill out the contact form on our website (www.houstondbtcenter.com). Schedule a free 15-minute consult on our website or ask us to call you. Let’s talk soon.