Find a Therapist in North Tonawanda, NY

Finding the right therapist can take time. If you’ve been searching for a while, you may feel overwhelmed, stuck, frustrated, or unsure where to turn next. If you’ve made it this far, you may have found the right place. Whether you’re facing relationship conflict, sex addiction, betrayal, intimacy or boundary issues in your relationships, or another personal challenge, you don’t need to have everything figured out before we begin. With more than 20 years of counselling experience as a Psychotherapist in Ontario, I take a warm, practical, and non-judgmental approach. I’ll take the time to understand what you’re experiencing, help you recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and work with you to develop practical ways forward. Depending on your needs, our work may include structured exercises, new ways of communicating, and strategies you can practice between sessions. My goal is to help you work through what brought you to therapy while developing greater insight and tools for lasting change.

I help clients who are stepping into therapy for the first time and also those who have done years of personal work, therapy, self-development, books, mindfulness, and still find themselves asking: “Why do I still feel this way?” My practice is built around a simple but powerful truth: therapy is not just about symptom management, it’s about transformation. Many of my clients arrive high-functioning on the outside: holding careers, managing relationships, raising families, but something internally feels misaligned, disconnected, or quietly hollow. This work is not about learning to cope better or applying surface-level tools. It’s about examining the systems, internal and relational, that are creating burnout, emotional disconnection, or a persistent sense of misalignment with your own life. Clients often come to me with burnout that doesn’t look like collapse but rather looks like performance, getting through the day, appearing successful, but inside feeling spiritually fatigued, emotionally numb, or simply stuck. Others come after finding that therapy itself plateaued. They gained insights, learned strategies, even felt better for a time, but the deeper shifts didn’t happen. They intuitively know that something deeper is required. My work integrates depth psychotherapy, relational analysis, and cognitive science-informed approaches. We don’t simply look at your behaviors or thoughts; we look at the systems of meaning, the relational patterns, and the cognitive-emotional feedback loops that shape how you move through the world. Therapy with me is not passive. It’s a collaborative, participatory process. I act as a coach, a guide, and a co-investigator in your experience. Together, we examine the architecture of your internal world, not with the goal of fixing you, but with the goal of evolving you. If you’re seeking therapy that focuses not just on managing anxiety or stress but on fostering genuine transformation, this work may be what you’ve been searching for. My clients are often people who are no longer satisfied with “just getting by” or “just coping.” They’re ready to ask larger questions about who they are, how they want to live, and how they can build relationships that are more alive, more honest, and more deeply connected. Sessions are offered in person at my Milton office and virtually across Ontario. This is an invitation to step beyond coping toward growth, clarity, evolution, and self-transcendence.

Hi! I’m Fran Bax, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MHC) in New York State and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Nevada, with over 30 years of clinical experience in behavioral health counseling. I’ve worked with individuals dealing with chemical dependency, mental health issues, and co-occurring challenges. I work with clients with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, obsessive-compulsive challenges (OCD), and attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD). I help people who have experienced physical trauma and emotional abuse. I also work with athletes to help them improve their sports performance and mental framework. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, without judgment or labels. My approaches combine cognitive behavioral, humanistic, motivational, and rational emotive counseling. I also use collaborative and systematic approaches to help my clients. It takes tremendous courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life, and to take the first steps toward change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. We can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your unique needs. You will find support, and you will explore different ways of thinking and feeling.

When triggered by the right stressors, the genes we are born with can lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations. And throughout life, we may experience abuse, neglect, loss, poverty, trauma and situations that make us feel “stuck.” Most stressors require support via therapy. Some respond better to medications. Whether it's ongoing therapy, medication, or a combination of the two, I will give you the evidence-based research. YOU will decide what's best for you.

As a holistic psychotherapist for over 40 years, I have delighted in working with people using a wide variety of modalities. Whether it is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness meditation, homeopathy, sound healing, Bach Flower Remedies, dream work, journaling, affirmations, Buddhism, mindfulness, depth psychology, or anything else, all come together to support your health and well-being. By respecting your individuality and providing a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment I pave the way for us to collaboratively develop a therapeutic alliance, where trust flourishes and you feel comfortable sharing your deepest concerns and authentic self. There are so many wonderful and effective ways to help with the kaleidoscope of challenges we all face. The beauty of holistic psychotherapy is its integration of theories and practices from psychology, philosophy, yoga, homeopathy, nutrition, ancient Sanskrit mantras, poetry, meditation, herbs, etc. into a cohesive whole, all of which help balance mind, body, and spirit. As the yogis say, all that you seek is already within you. Helping you create a loving, compassionate relationship with yourself, while catalyzing your intuition and wisdom to enhance other areas of your life, is the most meaningful work I know. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you on old andor current issues, and help you find that peace that really does lie within. Please feel free to call me and ask any questions you might have.

I provide a warm and welcoming environment that will allow you to express yourself honestly, gain insight into your behavior, and develop the skills you need to face life's challenges. My goal is for you to always feel safe and supported. I help people with issues like chronic illness, infertility, and anxiety. These struggles are often invisible and not well-understood by others, which makes them all the more painful and isolating. When something goes wrong with your health, it can feel like your entire life has been turned upside down and it may seem like you will never feel like yourself again. I can be a witness and support system for you as you navigate unpredictable and uncontrollable circumstances. We can explore patterns that developed when you were very young and may now be holding you back. My approach builds on your strengths and helps you find your resilience. You don't have to do this alone.

Are you finding yourself unable to outthink a problem, seem to be running into the same issue over and over, or feeling stuck about what you want to do? I help people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns. Often, my clients find that their unique history continues to impact them to this day. Together, we will further define what the problem is and move toward a more whole you. Healing can be a powerful force when someone feels heard and seen. I primarily use a psychodynamic approach to therapy. This means I will not only help you address uncomfortable symptoms, but also understand the root underlying causes. Understanding how and why someone becomes depressed and/or anxious can lead to longer lasting outcomes of improved mental well-being.

If you’re here, you may be doing your best to hold it together while feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unlike yourself. Maybe your mind won’t slow down, your mood feels heavy, or you’ve been stuck in patterns that are hard to break. I work in partnership with you to understand the full picture - your symptoms, stressors, history, and what has or hasn’t helped before, so we can build a plan that fits your life, not a generic template. My approach is personalized and evidence-based, and may include medication, supportive therapy, and practical tools you can use in daily life. I want you to feel heard, respected, and actively involved in your care, because meaningful progress starts with treatment that feels honest, collaborative, and grounded in who you are.

As one of WNY's only therapists with published scientific research and decades of experience, my patient's regularly tell me I have helped them in ways that other counselors have been unable to. I have worked in both the Mental Health and Substance Use fields as a line therapist and as a supervisor. My style of counseling is extremely directive offering in depth feedback, guidance and most patients state "you have helped me see things in ways I have not before, in ways others have not been able to help me." My main speciality is persons who have addictive personalities, especially those who have been unable to achieve sobriety or stop using drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, pornography, food. My approach is geared toward the family, the spouse, parent or anyone who is concerned about anothers addiction.

Chances are you are here because you are feeling like your life has gotten out of your control. I know how awful it feels when life events and responsibilities overwhelm our dreams. Explore Whats Next was created to respond to your individual needs, to provide relief from emotional pain with effective, practical and long lasting results. At Explore Whats Next the personal experience and professional expertise of our therapists, with your knowledge of yourself and motivation, combines to address the stresses that threaten to engulf you. My approach is collaborative to maximize your counseling experience. I create a comfortable place for you in a style that is compassionate, direct, and non-judgmental. I value irreverence, enjoy a good sense of humor and believe laughter has a healing power all its own.

My holistic approach involves caring for the "whole person", considering the psychological, physical, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the individual. Your input is valuable. Whether it involves medication management, supportive therapy, or psychotherapy, we'll work together to determine the best course of treatment for you.

I start by meeting people where they are and approaching each session with curiosity, hope, and even a little humor. I wonder what is really standing between them and the life they want. Sometimes that means people need me to listen, while other times I need to ask some gentle questions. In session, you will have my full attention. Often, we have to talk about the hard stuff, and that can feel uncomfortable, but often your discomfort is the first step toward growth and change. As a therapist, I am really fortunate to see how a person's resilience, courage, and desire for a richer life often unfold as we work together.