For Rae Francis, that moment is central to her work. As a therapist, executive life coach, and mental health advocate, Rae has spent over 16 years helping individuals and leaders navigate life’s toughest challenges. But her mission goes beyond just helping people manage symptoms; she aims to help them reconnect with their innate strength and rediscover their sense of self-worth.
Whether working with high-achieving professionals to manage stress, supporting couples through emotional healing, or collaborating with organizations to create emotionally resilient workplaces, Rae’s approach is rooted in one core philosophy: Your whole story matters.
A Personal Journey of Healing and Growth
Rae’s journey to becoming a therapist and coach is as multifaceted as the clients she serves. Raised in a small Midwestern town, Rae initially sought to find her worth through accomplishments and achievements. It wasn’t until life brought her to New York City that she began to understand that true strength doesn’t come from external success; it comes from within.
Rae’s personal experiences of loss, grief, and transformation have deeply influenced her work. The loss of her sister during college, battling depression, and facing the end of her marriage were pivotal moments that gave Rae a unique understanding of resilience. “True strength isn’t found in big victories but in the quiet, daily choices to keep moving forward,” she says.
Her personal story allows her to approach clients not only as a trained professional but also as someone who has lived through the struggles they may be facing.
Healing Isn’t About Fixing; It’s About Coming Home to Yourself
One of Rae’s guiding principles is that healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about returning to who you truly are. While many approaches to mental health focus on “getting over” tough experiences, Rae’s method focuses on helping clients transform their challenges into sources of strength.
Her Your Whole Story Matters philosophy integrates all aspects of a person’s journey—both light and struggle. In Rae’s view, your past doesn’t define you; it shapes you. She helps clients incorporate their past experiences in ways that allow them to move forward with clarity, compassion, and renewed strength.
Rae’s education in psychology and counseling, alongside certifications from prestigious institutions like Yale, Wharton, and Columbia, provide a strong foundation in evidence-based therapies. But it is her personal understanding of human suffering that truly sets her apart. “I’ve been where you are,” Rae shares. “That’s what allows me to sit with you in your darkest moments and help you find your way out.”
Nervous System Understanding: Why It Matters More Than You Think
A core aspect of Rae’s work is helping clients understand their nervous system responses. Many individuals with anxiety or chronic stress feel as though they are “wired wrong,” but Rae explains that these reactions are natural protective mechanisms. By learning to regulate these responses, clients can regain control over their emotions, move beyond reactivity, and enter a more grounded state.
Through a combination of neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and somatic healing, Rae helps individuals understand why their bodies respond to stress and trauma in certain ways. This awareness empowers clients to build a healthier relationship with their bodies—transitioning from constant anxiety to emotional resilience and calm. “The body holds the story,” Rae explains. “When you learn to listen, it can guide you toward healing.”
Beyond Talk Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Healing
Rae’s approach goes beyond traditional talk therapy; it integrates the mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. By using somatic healing techniques, breathwork, movement, and emotional regulation practices, Rae equips clients with tools that promote healing on all levels.
“We’re not just managing symptoms,” she says. “We’re helping to create lasting transformation that honors the body’s natural healing capacities.”
For Rae, the goal is not to fix someone, but to help them step into their fullest potential from a place of self-awareness and acceptance. By blending evidence-based strategies with real-world application, Rae ensures that healing extends beyond the therapy room, becoming part of the client’s everyday experience.
Supporting Every Identity: A Safe Space for All Stories
Rae’s work holds special significance for individuals navigating their identity, particularly those in the LGBTQIA+ community. She fosters an inclusive, compassionate environment where every person can show up as their authentic self. Whether clients are struggling with self-worth, relationship trauma, or issues of belonging, Rae helps them honor their unique stories.
“I believe that no one is defined by their hardest moments,” she says. “We are defined by how we rise from them.”
Healing and Leadership: Bridging Therapy and Professional Growth
In addition to individual therapy, Rae also focuses on mental resilience and leadership development. As a sought-after executive coach, Rae works with professionals and organizations to cultivate emotionally intelligent leaders who can thrive in high-pressure environments.
Her corporate consulting services help businesses implement mental wellness strategies that support employee well-being, prevent burnout, and promote emotionally healthy workplaces. “Workplaces can’t thrive when the people within them are struggling,” Rae explains. “Mental health is not just personal; it’s organizational. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to be productive, engaged, and fulfilled.”
Embracing the Messy Beauty of Healing
Rae’s philosophy embraces the idea that healing is not linear or perfect. “I wish heartache and loss weren’t such significant parts of life,” she says. “But what I’ve learned is that the human spirit thrives even in the hardest moments. And that, to me, is breathtaking.”
In her book It’s OK to Ugly Cry, Rae shares her personal journey and offers readers practical advice on emotional resilience. She’s also dedicated to making mental health resources more accessible, providing free downloadable tools, workshops, and programs to help people take the first step toward healing.
Transform Your Story with Rae Francis Consulting
If you’re ready to rewrite your story, reconnect with your true self, and embrace the full richness of your experiences, Rae Francis is here to guide you. Whether through one-on-one therapy, executive coaching, or corporate wellness programs, Rae’s approach offers more than just temporary relief. It’s a path to sustainable transformation, emotional resilience, and true healing.
Because at the end of the day, Rae believes that you are not defined by your hardest moments; you are defined by how you rise from them.
Explore Rae’s services and connect with her:
