Inspiring Conversations with Westly François of Healthy Mind, Healthy Heart Counseling and Consulting, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Westly François.

Westly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born to Haitian immigrant parents and raised by a strong single mother, along with my two brothers. Life wasn’t always easy. I saw my mom sacrifice and push through struggles that most people will never know about. Watching her work so hard just to make sure we had what we needed taught me resilience and gave me a deep appreciation for perseverance. Growing up in that environment, I also saw how stress, trauma, and limited resources can weigh heavily on people, and it lit a fire in me to want to make a difference.

That’s what led me into social work. I knew early on I wanted to help people carry what sometimes feels unbearable. The path wasn’t always smooth, but it was always driven by purpose. Over time, I found myself drawn to trauma work, and discovering EMDR therapy changed everything. It gave me a tool to help people actually reprocess their pain and begin to heal, instead of just learning how to live with it. Seeing those breakthroughs with clients has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

I eventually founded Healthy Mind, Healthy Heart Counseling and Consulting, LLC with the goal of creating a safe space for people to heal and grow. Now, I get to serve clients in Georgia and Florida, while also mentoring and supervising other therapists who are passionate about this work. For me, it’s about more than just a private practice, it’s about building access, representation, and hope for communities that need it.

Outside of my professional life, I’m a husband and proud father of two daughters. My wife and my daughters are at the heart of everything I do. They remind me every day that healing and growth are not just professional goals, but personal ones too. My story is rooted in faith, family, and the legacy of my mother’s sacrifices. And if there’s one thing I carry with me, it’s this, no matter where you start, healing and thriving are always possible.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth. Being raised by a single mother with two brothers, I watched my mom sacrifice everything just to keep us afloat. There were times when money was tight, when opportunities felt out of reach, and when the weight of responsibility hit me earlier than most kids my age. Those moments were hard, but they also built my determination to create something better for myself and my future family.

There were seasons where I questioned if I was good enough or if I would ever make it. As a Black man in the mental health field, there were times I felt overlooked, underestimated, or like I didn’t belong in certain spaces. Representation is still limited, and carrying that weight can feel isolating. But instead of letting it stop me, I used it as fuel to keep showing up and to prove that our voices and presence matter in this field.

When I started my private practice, the challenges didn’t stop. Balancing the financial risks, the sleepless nights of trying to build something from the ground up, and the pressure of wanting to provide for my clients and my family all at once was overwhelming at times. There were days I wondered if I had taken on too much.

But every obstacle shaped me. They reminded me of my mom’s resilience, my daughters’ future, and the power of perseverance. Those struggles became my training ground, preparing me to not just serve others but to walk with them through their own challenges, knowing what it feels like to fight for something better.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Healthy Mind, Healthy Heart Counseling and Consulting, LLC ?
Healthy Mind, Healthy Heart Counseling & Consulting, LLC is the practice I started because I wanted people to have a safe space to deal with life, heal, and grow. A lot of my work is with trauma, and I use EMDR therapy to help people reprocess painful experiences so they don’t feel stuck in them anymore. But I also see people for everyday struggles such as, anxiety, depression, stress, relationships and just the things we all go through at different points in life.

What makes this work special for me is that I don’t just come in as a therapist with techniques, I come in as a person. I know what it feels like to go through hard seasons and to not always have support. So when people sit across from me, they know I really understand. My goal is always to make therapy feel less intimidating and more like a real conversation where you feel safe and heard.

I’m proud that the practice has grown to serve people in both Georgia and Florida, and that I also get to help newer therapists through supervision and consultation. But honestly, what means the most to me are the moments when a client says, “I feel lighter,” or when they start believing in themselves again. That’s what Healthy Mind, Healthy Heart is all about and creating hope and showing people they don’t have to do it alone.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The biggest advice I can give is to believe in yourself and start where you are. Too many people wait until everything feels “perfect” before they move, but the truth is, you’ll figure it out along the way. Progress beats perfection every time.

Don’t be afraid of failure and every setback is a lesson that’s shaping you for the next step. What matters most is consistency. Keep showing up, even on the days when it feels tough or when you don’t see results right away.

Also, protect your mindset. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, who challenge you, and who want to see you win. That kind of support will carry you further than you think. And remember, your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Stay focused on your purpose, trust the process, and keep going because you never know who’s watching and being inspired by your courage to start.

My mantra: “Consistency beats talent when talent doesn’t show up.”

Pricing:

• Individual therapy sessions: $125–$150 per session
• Clinical supervision for therapists: $50 per session
• Consultation services: $100 per hour
• Sliding scale options available for clients with financial hardship
• Insurance accepted through select networks (varies by state)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://healthymindhealthyheart.com/
• Instagram: @_mindfullywes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westly.francois
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/westly-françois-lcsw-certified-emdr-therapist-54a42988