Steve L. Franks, MA, LMFT

MY SCHEDULE IS FULL; WAITLIST INQUIRIES WELCOME. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing individual psychotherapy, relational therapy, and clinical supervision. In-person appointments in North Tacoma, Telehealth for all of Washington State. Psychotherapy is a calling for me. The spark that ignited long ago continued to build over the decades. The path of serving others and being a part of their healing process continues to inform my own journey. I am continually learning – reading professional literature, attending workshops, and consulting with colleagues. I also tend to my personal work, self-care, and relationships. I enjoy hiking in nature, music, food, travel, socializing with family and friends, and quiet time to reflect and restore. I approach people from a holistic perspective, taking into account the physical, emotional, relational, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. I view people not as problems to be solved but persons with vast resources to be known. I hold a healing, therapeutic space that promotes trust. I offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental stance, helping clients to feel safe. I meet clients where they are, while encouraging them to turn towards their pain, wisdom, and potential. I am trained in a variety of strength-based models that value, as I do, the innate capacity of the body-mind-spirit-relational-system to change, grow, heal, and integrate. These models include, but are not limited to: Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Family of Origin Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Narrative Therapy, and Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT). I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Life Span Integration (LI), which I primarily use to address past and or recent trauma. Depth Psychotherapy – especially Carl Jung, Humanistic and Existential Psychotherapy, Mindfulness Based Approaches, and Milton Erickson also influence my work. Although theory and technique are important, they are not the heart of psychotherapy. The most important factor is the therapeutic alliance – people with their strengths and challenges, shadows and light, working together. If you are interested in working together, please send me a message. EDUCATION Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Therapy Pacific Lutheran University, 1995 Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Central Washington University, 1991 PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS AND AFFILIATIONS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Washington State Department of Health #LF00000875 Registered Hypnotherapist, Washington State Department of Health #HP61506065 Clinical Member, AAMFT, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, AAMFT, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, Washington State Department of Health POST GRADUATE TRAININGS (SELECTED) AAMFT Approved Supervisor Training, Part I and II. 2008-2010. 30 hours. Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy: AEDP Immersion: The Dyadic Repair of Attachment Trauma: Healing at the Edge of Transformational Experience. 2023. 34 hours. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. 2007. 60 hours. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training. 2012. 40 hours. EMDR Refresher and Update Training: In Person and Virtual Applications. 2020. 40 Hours. Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Level I and II. 2002-2004. 180 hours. Life Span Integration (LI), Level I and II. 2008-2009. 26 hours. Milton Erickson Foundation Intensive Training. Fundamentals and Intermediate Levels. 64 hours. 2022 – 2023. Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) Level I. 2021. 54 Hours.