Francesco Schilleci

Francesco Schilleci is a Master’s Level Intern in the Counseling program at Southern Methodist University, where he also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He works with individuals across the lifespan, with a clinical focus on adoption, abandonment issues, substance use and addiction, sexuality, trauma, emotional abuse, co-dependency, grief, loss, and anxiety.

Francesco’s approach is rooted in the belief that while we cannot change our past — or the circumstances that have shaped us — we can choose how we respond. Grounded in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), he helps clients identify and challenge rigid, self-defeating beliefs, replace unhelpful patterns with more flexible and empowering ways of thinking, and take meaningful steps toward a life built on self-acceptance, resilience, and purpose. He integrates trauma-informed care, attachment-based interventions, and solution-focused strategies, tailoring each client’s journey to their unique story, needs, and goals. Francesco is also trained in EMDR, a specialized therapy technique for processing past trauma and promoting emotional healing.

Drawing from his recovery journey and years in therapy, Francesco offers his lived experience as a foundation for compassion and empathic attunement. He creates a space where healing is an active process — one that flourishes through open communication and authentic relationships. In sessions, he encourages clients to look inward, build confidence, develop the emotional tools to navigate life with agency, and reclaim the freedom to live in alignment with their deepest values. With insightful presence and steady support, Francesco is committed to walking alongside his clients, helping them cultivate self-worth, deepen their self-trust, and foster growth to live with greater clarity and fulfillment.