Therapy & Substance Abuse Counseling – Jennifer Francke, LPC

Psychotherapy for Adults

I take an integrative approach and utilize empirically-based practices to assist individuals in identifying and addressing problematic behavioral, cognitive, affective, physiological, or spiritual dimensions in their lives. I will draw from cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy and psychoeducation to help move you in the direction you want to go. That said, only you know what is or is not working and I rely on your feedback for the best outcome. Therapy is a collaborative process.

EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective treatment for trauma/PTSD and moving past difficult life experiences in general. When we experience trauma or difficult life events which exceed our capacity to process and make sense of them, we can begin to experience certain problematic symptoms which interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. Some of these symptoms may include:

Unwanted, upsetting intrusive memories
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Avoidance of trauma-related thoughts, feelings, or reminders
Inability to recall key features of the trauma
Negative thoughts about oneself or the world around us
Guilt and shame
Negative mood/emotions
Decreased interest in activities once enjoyable to us
Feelings of isolation
Anger and irritability
Risky or destructive behavior including substance abuse
Hypervigilance and heightened startle response
Difficulty concentrating
Disturbed sleep

EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation (BLS) in an effort to activate/enhance our brain’s natural capacity to process trauma, allowing us to move forward with less distress and disruption in our daily life. Please read my blog post or contact me for more information.

Substance Abuse Evaluations & Treatment of Addiction

For the evaluation of substance use disorders I utilize the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), which is a semi-structured interview for substance abuse assessment and treatment planning. The ASI is preferred and accepted by the Nebraska criminal justice system. If you are looking to explore your relationship with substances, I can help. If treatment for substance abuse is recommended and court-ordered, I will work with your probation/diversion officer to keep them apprised of your progress while in treatment.