An Interview with Francesca DePaul | New Hope, PA Therapist

Francesca DePaul, MS

Francesca DePaul, MS approaches therapy with warmth, gentleness, and a deep respect for the human experience. She believes that simply considering therapy is an act of self-compassion, and that every person already carries meaningful strengths into the room. Fran often describes these strengths as building blocks—foundational pieces that can be expanded upon to support healing, growth, and future success.

Grounded in a phenomenological approach (this means having deep curiosity about your inner world), Fran views her clients as the experts of their own lived experiences. She brings a nonjudgmental, empathic presence to therapy and deeply values authentic human connection. Her clinical style is eclectic and client-centered, drawing from person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, systemic, multicultural, trauma-informed, and reality-based frameworks. Fran works with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions, offering a safe space that fosters hope, healing, and resilience.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Francesca to learn more about what shapes her work, what brings her comfort outside the therapy room, and what clients can expect when working with her.

Interview with Francesca DEPaul, MS

Therapist in New Hope, Pennsylvania

Quick Fast Facts

Go-to comfort activity:
It is so difficult to only pick one! I’d say my go-to comfort activity has to be coloring. I love printing out adult coloring pages (shout-out to Crayola!) and giving myself permission to relax.

Favorite way to unwind:
Two words: Beauty. Vlogs. I love watching videos that showcase new beauty launches, product reviews, and of course the classic GRWMs.

Morning person or night owl:
Night owl.

Coffee or tea:
Neither! I love a good lemonade, though.

Favorite season:
Summer.

Why She Does This Work

What originally drew you to becoming a therapist?
My passion for helping others has always been a driving force behind my entry into this field. The power of human connection is unmatched. Becoming a therapist has been deeply motivated by my belief in the transformative impact of being truly seen, heard, and understood. Helping individuals gain insight, resilience, and self-compassion is both meaningful and fulfilling to me.

What keeps you passionate about therapy now, even on hard days?
Everything from clients’ ah-ha moments to the authentic connections I have developed with the people I support. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. We all have hard days when our pace may slow. What’s important is that we look to the sidelines to find our cheerleaders and remind ourselves of how far we have come.

Clinical Style & Philosophy

How would you describe your therapy style in a few words?
Warm, growth-oriented, safe, encouraging, client-centered, and gentle.

What kinds of clients or issues do you feel most energized working with?
Working with clients across the lifespan is very important to me. Meeting clients where they are developmentally is a privilege. I feel energized when helping clients navigate life transitions, relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I feel most energized working with people as they are—authentically, openly, and without pretense.

What do you think good therapy should feel like for a client?
To me, good therapy is like a good coffee spot: reliable, inviting, warm, consistent, and safe. Oh—and nonjudgmental!

What’s it like to sit with you?
I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is welcoming, warm, safe, and accepting. To sit with me is to sit with another human being. As I often say, I am living life for the first time, too.

What can someone expect in a first session with you?
The first session with me focuses on understanding bits of who you were, who you are, and who you want to be—one step at a time. You are the expert of your life experience (and I will definitely remind you of this once or twice!). Building a therapeutic alliance, identifying strengths, discussing goals, and establishing a safe space are all key areas we visit together. This session belongs to you—a canvas to illustrate your story and a space for your voice.

Personal Reflections

What small joy or ritual brings you comfort or happiness?
I would say, quite literally, a small joy…my bunny, Kirby. A sweet (and sometimes spicy) ball of happiness and comfort.

What’s a book, podcast, or idea that has influenced how you think about relationships or life?
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey
“The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.” — Tony Robbins
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

If you weren’t a therapist, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I would pursue fashion in some capacity. Elements of fashion merchandising and designing really pique my interest.

Closing Thoughts

If someone is feeling unsure about starting therapy, what would you say to them?
Consider giving it a try. You’ve likely faced adversities and challenges before even contemplating therapy. Starting therapy is a lot like jumping on a trampoline for the first time or riding a bike without training wheels. Can the lead-up feel scary? Absolutely. Can the outcome feel empowering? Absolutely.