Hi! I am a licensed professional counselor and mental health service provider with twenty years experience. My approach is to use my congenial and positive disposition in building a therapeutic alliance. It has been useful and practical to use an eclectic approach in therapy. I have utilized cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational therapy, client centered therapy, and EMDR therapy. My PhD in Education from Michigan State University emphasized conflict management, which has been beneficial for clients with individual and interpersonal conflicts. I am a member of the American Academy of Health Care Providers through which I hold certifications in sexual addiction, alcoholism, and eating disorders. Additionally I am a CSAT (Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist) through the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals. I have practiced in hospitals and clinics working with dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, grief and losses. From 2007 - 2020 I worked with soldiers and civilians with PTSD, which I found to be very rewarding and which led to me becoming a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) therapist. By incorporating EMDR, I have seen positive changes and transformations with traumatized men and women. I hope you allow me to assist you, and we will work together collaboratively to enhance your life.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Antisocial Personality, Attachment Issues, Avoidant Personality, Body Image, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication Problems, Dependent Personality, Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Immigration Issues, Infidelity, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Dysfunction, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Traumatic Brain Injury
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
TN LPC 827
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Franklin Cardona. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Franklin has been a great counselor in my journey to navigate personal and familial challenges. His extensive expertise in various aspects of mental health has provided me with a sense of reassurance that I’m in good hands. His passion for assisting clients with their troubles shows through in every interaction. Franklin’s easygoing demeanor makes for a comfortable and open atmosphere, making him an excellent choice for anyone seeking support.
Written on Sep 05, 2023 after therapy with Franklin for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I always give Mr. Cardona a 10/10 rating because he is simply a diamond in the rough. He keeps a friendly, humerous, and jovial demeanor while maintaining utmost respect and professionalism. He listens closely and encourages me to further my therapy experience with his homework/thought exercises. He offers answers to questions I've yet to ask- or even understand about myself. He truly is a guidance counselor who strives for his clients and their mental health.
Written on Aug 09, 2023 after therapy with Franklin for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and lgbt
Dr. Cardona is a very intellectual therapist, with a very direct therapeutic method that sounded too good to be true. After a thorough investigation of his credentials, methods, principles, and reputation; I chose him to help me. He didn't have to, the first person I chose didn't want to, some stuff is too dark for even a therapist to want to work on. Immediately during our first introductory session, we were fast to work on the many, many troubles that plague me. I look forward to see how our sessions are going to turn out and the relief that follows.
This isn't a one-time will-fix-you-forever type of thing. But Dr. Cardona does teach you how to utilize therapeutic methods during stressful situations.
Written on Sep 08, 2022 after therapy with Franklin for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassio
Dr. Cardona is incredibly knowledgeable on treating his patients. He provides so much meaningful conversation and ways to help with what you’re going through. He really cares about his patients and goes out of his way to ensure they’re cared for.
Written on Aug 09, 2022 after therapy with Franklin for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Franklin really cared and listened to everything through all my tears. He has a really calming voice that helped calm me back down.
Written on Apr 12, 2022 after therapy with Franklin for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, and self esteem
Franklin is very kind and has a sense of humor. I find that he has a memory bank for excellent books and authors of counseling-type topics (examples: shame, codependency) and this has helped me augment my healing process.
With EMDR I feel safe to work through a memory with him and he leads the process, but if I ask if I’m doing it right, he is just gracious and affirming, and I find space in this non-grading to not grade myself. And in that, I find myself moving forward at a steady pace I hadn’t expected.
Franklin will listen as much or EMDR as much each session as you want. I just have to take a moment before each session and decide what my need is that day/week. So I think it is important when working with Franklin to decide what you want to do for your session, perhaps message ahead of time, and then do that. I didn’t want a passive listener counselor but I didn’t want someone pressuring either. Franklin and I have a good balance and I appreciate how he flows with my goals/needs.
Written on Feb 28, 2022 after therapy with Franklin for 10 months on issues concerning family conflicts, self esteem, compassion fatigue, and adhd