Desiree Meaton-Francisco, LMHC, MCAP

Who AM I?

I am a licensed mental health therapist in Florida. I am credentialed as a Master’s Level Certified Addictions Professional (MCAP) and a Certified Telehealth Practitioner (CTP) with over 20 years in the Behavioral Health Field. I have worked in private and non-profit sectors to include many leadership/mentorship roles. I am also a subject matter expert for substance use and behavioral health disorders.

I received my master’s and undergraduate degree from University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida focusing on rehabilitation and mental health counseling. I grew up in various areas spanning from St. Petersburg, Florida to British Columbia, Canada and returned to Central Florida upon graduation in 1998.

Throughout my entire life, I have had a natural affinity for helping others. Even as a child, I was curious and highly interested in range and regulation of emotions and the interplay of behaviors of myself and others. I chose this profession to help enact positive change in people’s lives through understanding and actionable steps.

My work as a therapist has been significantly enhanced through my own life’s challenging events and experiences. I have been blessed with rewarding personal and professional growth opportunities which have allowed me to give back in the form of supervising MHC interns along with leading teams to fulfil their professional goals.

I am a member of the Florida Mental Health Counselor’s Association and hold active roles on various community committees. I continue to strive to improve and educate myself to further ensure that I am meeting patient and supervisee needs. I’m described as being warm, compassionate, responsive and active in the therapeutic process.

In addition to my professional life, my most rewarding achievement is being a mother and a wife. I enjoy life to the fullest and continue to ensure that I am practicing self-care in order to give back to patients and supervisees'.

Therapy/Counseling Services

Children, adolescents, young adults, adults and families who are experiencing.......

Depression

Anxiety

Addiction

Coping with the pandemic

Relationship concerns

Parenting problems

Childhood trauma

Career challenges

Adjustment to life changes/stressors (Pandemic too)

Grief/loss

Supervision for MHC Interns

If you are nearing graduation or have already graduated I would love to help you begin your journey toward licensure. I am a board-approved Qualified Supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns in the state of Florida.

Subject Matter Expert Evaluations

I conduct Forensic Evaluations to assess behavioral health and/or substance use factors to recommend treatment based on a comprehensive clinical assessment to include individualized screening tools. Testifying based on clinical findings is often required.