Online Individual Therapy
Compassionate, evidence-based support for life’s challenges and transitions
Meet Dr. Ma
Hi, and welcome! My name is Francesca. I am a clinical psychologist, located in Durham, NC. I provide psychotherapy to adults navigating life’s challenges and transitions. My approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps clients build psychological flexibility, clarify what matters most to them, and move toward a more meaningful life.
In addition to general psychotherapy, I have expertise in areas such as fertility and perinatal mental health, eating and body image concerns, and coping with chronic health conditions. I also provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for adults to help clarify diagnoses and guide treatment.
Education
B.A., Psychology, Stanford University
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Iowa
Pre-doctoral Internship, Duke University School of Medicine
Post-doctoral Fellowship, Duke University School of Medicine
Licensure
North Carolina Psychologist and Health Service Provider, License #6789
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (PsyPact), E-Passport #23108
Services
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I offer individual psychotherapy to adults, via telehealth. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility and respond to life’s challenges with clarity and purpose. I aim to help clients learn to relate to their thoughts and feelings in new ways, reconnect with the present moment, and take meaningful steps towards their values.
In addition to general psychotherapy, I specialize in concerns related to women’s health, including concerns related to the perinatal period (e.g., prenatal and postpartum anxiety and depression, having a child in the NICU) , fertility challenges and treatment, reproductive changes (e.g., menopause), chronic illnesses (e.g., Type 1 Diabetes), and eating and body image concerns.
Intake sessions are 75 minutes, and subsequent sessions are 50-60 minutes.
I offer psychotherapy via telehealth to those living in North Carolina and other PSYPACT-participating states. To find out if your state is part of PSYPACT, please see this link: https://psypact.gov/page/psypactmap
For those living in NC, I am in network with Aetna and BCBS for therapy sessions, via Headway: https://care.headway.co/providers/francesca-scheiber?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=187234.
For those who do not use these insurance companies, my out-of-network rates are $225 for a 75-minute intake session and $205 for a 60-minute therapy session.
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For psychological evaluation, I offer diagnostic clarification to help individuals understand what might be contributing to emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges. More specifically, I evaluate mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and other psychological concerns (e.g., substance use disorders, eating disorders, ADHD). Evaluations are aimed at providing clear, useful insights to support personal growth and/ or treatment planning. They usually involve one longer session (~90 minutes), after which I write a detailed report. Next, there is a 30-minute feedback session to review the report. Evaluations are billed at a rate of $205 per hour.
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I plan to offer cognitive (e.g., intellectual functioning, executive functioning) and psycho-educational (e.g., learning performance) assessments in the future. Please feel free to contact me about this.
Areas of Specialty
What happens when I book a consultation?
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1. Initial consultation
We will schedule a 15-minute video appointment, during which I will ask you questions about what brings you to therapy. I will let you know if I think my services would be a good fit for your concerns.
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2. Schedule your first appointment
If it seems like my services would be a good match for you, we will schedule a 75-minute intake appointment. I will direct you to my Client Portal and ask you to complete consent forms and intake forms.
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3. Intake visit and treatment plan
We will meet for our first appointment, which will last around 75 minutes. At the appointment, I will provide you with a treatment plan and book your next session.
FAQs
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Vita Viva means “a life that is alive.” I chose this name because it captures the heart of what therapy can help us rediscover—a sense of vitality, meaning, and presence in our daily lives. Rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), my approach supports clients in moving toward what truly matters to them, even in the face of difficulty. Vita Viva reflects the belief that living well is not about avoiding pain, but about cultivating purpose, authenticity, and a full, vital life.
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For those living in NC, I take BCBS and Aetna for therapy sessions, via Headway. Here is my Headway profile: https://care.headway.co/providers/francesca-scheiber?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=187234
For those who do not use these insurance companies or live outside of NC, I am out of network. However, I can provide a superbill—a receipt you can send to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients are able to get part of their session cost covered this way. If you’d like to explore this option, I recommend calling your insurance provider and asking about your out-of-network mental health benefits.
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The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, your goals, and what you’d like to get out of the process. I’ll also answer any questions you have about how I work and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward.
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ACT is an evidence-based approach that helps people live more fully and intentionally, even in the presence of difficult thoughts or emotions. Rather than trying to get rid of discomfort, ACT helps you build skills to respond to it differently—so you can move toward the people, values, and activities that matter most to you.
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Most clients start with weekly sessions to build momentum, then transition to biweekly or monthly as progress continues. We’ll discuss what feels right for you and adjust as needed.
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Because your appointment time is reserved just for you, sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged the full fee.
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You can start by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit. During this call, we’ll briefly talk about your goals, answer any questions, and explore next steps. You can schedule directly through my website or contact me by email at francesca@vitavivapsychology.com.
Training
I have been trained as a generalist, which allows me to work effectively with a wide range of concerns and challenges. In addition, I have specialized training in specific areas, including women’s health, eating and body image concerns, and perinatal and reproductive mental health. Read more about my research and clinical training below:
During my undergraduate education, I became a research assistant in the Center for Infant Studies at Stanford University. I learned about the ways in which parents from different backgrounds communicate with their children. After graduation, I was a clinical research coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for a study that evaluated in-home treatment for maternal depression. I learned about how maternal mental health influences various parenting practices and about evidence-based treatments for maternal depression. Importantly, I also learned about the symbiotic relationship between clinical skills and research skills.
In graduate school, I combined my research and clinical interests. My research focused on maternal mental health, child-directed speech, and children’s language outcomes. Clinically, I focused on women’s mental health and child neuropsychology. I completed various relevant training experiences, and I learned about presenting concerns unique to perinatal women, children, parents, and the parent-child dyad. As part of graduate school, I completed an internship, during which most of my time was spent providing psychotherapy to perinatal women and administering neuropsychological assessments to children.
Finally, after internship, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship, during which I was the therapist on two clinical trials: one that evaluates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals experiencing infertility and one that evaluates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals with type 1 diabetes and concerns related to eating and body image.
While my work now centers on direct clinical care, my background in research continues to shape how I practice. I draw on evidence-based approaches and stay grounded in the evolving science of psychology to ensure my clients receive thoughtful, informed, and effective care.