Online Individual Therapy in

North Carolina & PSYPACT States

Compassionate, evidence-based support for life’s challenges and transitions

Book a Consultation
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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

  • 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.

  • 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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Areas of Specialty

What happens when I book a consultation?

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Because your appointment time is reserved just for you, sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged the full fee. 

  • 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.