Growing up as the oldest and only girl of 7 siblings, Frances (affectionately known as ‘Fran’) Futrell knows conflict. In middle school, she was introduced to peer mediation and the rest is history. Fascinated with the underlying thoughts that led to conflict, she went on to begin a peer mediation program at her high school and was able to assist peers with resolving conflict in the school setting, leading to reduction of suspensions for physical altercations.
Fran’s passion for understanding how the mind impacts behaviors led her to Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Virginia) in 2005 where she majored in Psychology, then graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009. She is a 2013 graduate of Regent University (Virginia Beach, Virginia) with a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling. In July 2018, Fran received her license to practice professional counseling.
As one who is passionate about journeying with others to assist and support them with overcoming life’s obstacles, Fran operates with integrity, authenticity, compassion and professionalism while highlighting individuals’ abilities to maintain fulfilling lives. Her experiential background of over 12 years includes working in the private and public sectors, from residential/ group home settings to the home to private practice. She provides individual, couples, and group therapy. Fran is a master certified grief informed professional, which is a passion due to her own challenges with navigating grief and loss in her own life. She also hosts various talks on Facebook Live weekly, sharing information that educates the public on various mental health topics and provides community resources to address mental health needs. Fran has served on the Health Equity Steering Committee for the state of Virginia. In 2020, she published Counseling is Not a Cussword, a book that addresses the myths that surround counseling and helping people to overcome barriers that interfere with living their healthiest lives.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou