Online Individual Therapy
Compassionate, evidence-based support for life’s challenges and transitions
Serving North Carolina & PSYPACT States
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
Learn more about me →
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.
Areas of Specialty
Infertility & Pregnancy Loss
Infertility, fertility treatment, and pregnancy loss can bring grief, uncertainty, and a sense that life has become consumed by trying to build your family. Therapy can help you navigate difficult emotions and uncertainty while staying connected to yourself and the life you want to live.
Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health
Pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood can bring unexpected anxiety, overwhelm, and changes in your relationships and sense of self. Therapy can help you navigate these changes while making space for both the meaningful and difficult parts of becoming a parent.
Eating & Body Image Concerns
Thoughts about food, weight, and appearance can become consuming and interfere with your ability to be present in the rest of your life. Therapy can help you develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with food and your body, including support for disordered eating, body image concerns, and diabulimia.
Living With Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic health condition can affect far more than your physical health, bringing uncertainty, frustration, burnout, and changes in how you see yourself and your future. Therapy can help you navigate these challenges while building a meaningful life alongside the realities of chronic illness.
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.