Frani graduated with an honours degree in social work from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.Over the past 30 years, shehas worked as a medical social worker in various capacities in dual-diagnosis inpatient/outpatient facilities in the mental health and addiction field. Prior to immigrating to Canada, she worked as a private practitioner in her native South Africa and was affiliated with various EAP providers. She was also affiliated with the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, providing counselling services to problem gamblers and their loved ones. As an affiliate of TraumaCall, a national trauma network, she provided trauma counselling to individuals who had experienced traumatic events, as well as to their significant others who were experiencing secondary trauma as a result.
Her goal as a registered social worker and counsellor is to create a clinical space of tangible acceptance, mutual trust, and unwavering support. She believes that all people possess the ability for personal growth and self-actualization, which can be accomplished if the clinical setting is conducive to self-acceptance, empathy, compassion, and collaboration.
Frani also believes that autonomy is crucial so that you can be the driver of your own healing journey and not merely a passenger. She incorporates a variety of approaches in her work, including Short Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Meaning Therapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Strength-based Therapy. All of this is done through a trauma-informed lens, with a deep understanding of how current and past traumas can impact our everyday lives.
Her overall approach to her work is grounded in the firm belief that we can all enhance our lives and ultimately live a more meaningful existence if we flourish and build on our personal strength and resilience.
