Professional Portfolio
Bio
Frankie Salisbury is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor based in St. Louis, Missouri, with a passion for supporting adults navigating anxiety, mood disorders, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, and substance use. He is the founder and lead clinician of Mindful Counseling, where he provides integrative, evidence-based therapy that blends Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other mindfulness-informed approaches. Frankie brings a calm, nonjudgmental presence into his work and encourages clients to define for themselves what it means to live a meaningful life. His therapeutic style is collaborative, curious, and grounded in both clinical expertise and lived experience.
In addition to his clinical practice, Frankie is a dedicated educator and clinical supervisor. He teaches in Webster University’s CACREP-accredited graduate counseling program. He is also pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision through Walden University, with a focus on addiction counseling. Across his work, he is deeply committed to trauma-informed care, professional mentorship, and creating spaces where clients and clinicians alike can grow with authenticity and purpose.
Education
| PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision Walden University St. Louis, MO (in progress) | Specialization: Addiction Counseling Currently completing coursework to prepare for dissertation |
| Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Webster University St. Louis, MO (Oct 2017) | Practicum experience: Preferred Family Healthcare Adolescent Outpatient Internship experience: Gateway Foundation Adult Outpatient |
| Bachelor of Arts, Management Webster University St. Louis, MO (Dec 2014) | Minor: Japanese Language and Culture Minor: Computer Applications |
Licensure & Certification
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Missouri, #2020010460
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Illinois, #180012937
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- National Board of Certified Counselors, #888577
Teaching
Teaching Philosophy
Teaching and learning are shaped by both theoretical knowledge and lived experience. As a counselor educator, I draw upon the same principles that guide my clinical work to inform my pedagogical and andragogical approach. My approach is integrative, rooted in the natural interplay among humanistic, constructivist, and transformative learning theories. These theories, along with principles of the science of learning, guidance from standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and ethical standards set forth by the American Counseling Association (ACA), allow me to create a structured and flexible environment in which counseling students can strive toward self-actualized, self-directed learning.
Teaching Experience
| Adjunct Professor Webster University Dept. of Professional Counseling Webster Groves, MO (Aug 2021 – present) |
| Webster University’s Department of Professional Counseling is a CACREP-accredited graduate program offering master’s degrees in professional counseling. Classes taught include: – Counseling Practicum – Counseling Internship – Psychodiagnostics – Introduction to Counseling (bachelors-level psychology) |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant Webster University Prof. Terri Reilly Webster Groves, MO (Jul 2014 – May 2016) |
| Professor Terri Reilly teaches a variety of courses within Webster University’s College of Arts and Sciences, such as sociology and writing courses. Primary duties: – Created and provided lectures to students in both in-person and online formats – Graded student assignments and provided feedback – Assisted in the creation and revision of course curricula |
| Writing Coach Webster University Academic Resource Center Webster Groves, MO (Dec 2009 – May 2017) |
| Webster University’s Academic Resource Center offers student support such as academic tutoring and writing assistance. Primary duties: – Met with students individually to review written assignments and provide feedback and coaching to improve academic writing – Facilitated trainings for students and other staff on topics related to academic writing |
Supervision
Supervision Philosophy
Coming soon!
Supervision Experience
| Counselor & Owner Mindful Counseling St. Louis, MO (May 2022 – present) |
| Mindful Counseling is a private practice offering individual counseling. Primary duties: – Provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders – Create and maintain client records and documentation following insurance contracts, legal requirements, and best practices – Manage business operations by keeping accounting records, marketing, and maintaining insurance credentialling – Supervise provisionally licensed professional counselors through direct review of all documentation and weekly supervision sessions |
| Clinical Director Illinois Recovery Center Belleville, IL (Aug 2023 – Apr 2024) |
| Illinois Recovery Center is a residential treatment center for substance use disorders, opened in 2023. Primary duties: – Supervised a team of licensed counselors, social workers peer support specialists, case managers, and substance use counselors in providing direct care to residential clients – Ensured compliance with The Joint Commission standards, which resulted in successful accreditation of the programDesigned, implemented, and monitored clinical programming – Lead clinical and case staffing meetings to foster continuous development of staff skills and promote collaborative care amongst the treatment team – Facilitated trainings for clinical and non-clinical staff on topics such as multicultural competence and documentation practices – Contributed to the regular review and revision of company-wide policies and procedures to better serve clients and staff – Audited and provided feedback on client records to ensure compliance and continuously improve client care – Monitored utilization review practices to advocate for client treatment needs from third-party payors |
| Associate Clinical Director Sana Lake Behavioral Wellness Maryland Heights, MO (Oct 2020 – Jul 2021) |
| Sana Lake Behavioral Wellness is an agency offering outpatient treatment of substance use disorders at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient levels of care. Primary duties: – Supervised a team of licensed counselors and social workers providing direct care to clients – Designed, implemented, and monitored clinical programming – Lead clinical and case staffing meetings to foster continuous development of staff skills and promote collaborative care amongst the treatment team – Facilitated trainings for clinical and non-clinical staff on topics such as multicultural competence and documentation practices – Contributed to the regular review and revision of company-wide policies and procedures to better serve clients and staff – Audited and provided feedback on client records to ensure compliance and continuously improve client care – Monitored utilization review practices to advocate for client treatment needs from third-party payors |
| Assistant Director Willow House Des Peres, MO (Mar 2016 – Apr 2019) |
| Willow House was a non-profit organization that maintained a women’s sober living house for women in the early stages of recovery from substance use disorders. Primary duties: – Assisted in the design and implementation of the sober living house program – Managed operations through regular program evaluation to create and revise policies and protocols – Facilitated weekly house meetings and recovery support groups for the residents – Provided individual support by meeting with each resident weekly to create and implement relapse prevention plans and recovery goals |
Research
Research Experience
- Assisted Dr. Hasmik Chakaryan (Webster University) in designing a study on the intersectionality of intimate partner violence and childhood exposure to substance use, including literature review, methodology, and the IRB approval process
- Presented at Research Across the Disciplines (RAD) conference, held at Webster University, a research project completed as a counseling intern: “Substance Use in Sexual Minority Youth: A Review of Counseling Literature”
Research Interests
- Addictionology and improving treatment efficacy
- Process addictions
- Practices for addiction and substance use treatment for autistic people and other minority populations
- Improving access to counseling and client engagement
- Trauma and how it causes or exacerbates other mental health disorders
- Recognition of professional counselors as specialists in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders
Leadership/Advocacy
Group Memberships
| Mentorship Committee Chair Chi Sigma Iota – Omicron Zeta Chapter (Webster University) | The CSI-OZ Mentorship Committee engages professional counselors and senior students into mentorship roles and pairs them with interested counseling students. – Lead the creation of the Mentorship Program through regular meetings with CSI student and faculty leadership – Recruit mentors and manage mentor profiles to ensure current availability of mentors for students – Collect regular outcome data to monitor program effectiveness |
| Founder and Chair Mindful Self Consultation Group | Mindful Self Consultation Group is a peer-lead group for local counselors to process case conceptualizations, brainstorm ideas for interventions, and support each other in the oftentimes isolating realm of private practice. |
| Founder and Chair PIC Coalition | The Protecting the Integrity of Counseling (PIC) Coalition is a “grassroots” group of professional counselors who feel passionately about protecting our profession and our clients. The PIC Coalition’s mission is to advocate in ways that protect the core values and standards of counseling, such as by writing legislators, disseminating educational resources, and researching proactive measures against potential threats to client and public safety. |
| Member ACES Substance and Behavioral Addiction Interest Network | The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision ACES Substance and Behavioral Addiction Interest Network explores how to better incorporate substance use and addiction into counselor education programs and supervision practices. |
| Member IOAAC Process Addictions Committee | The International Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) Process Addictions Committee focuses on best practices for addressing non-substance, behavioral addictions. |
Professional Memberships
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
- National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
- Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) – Omicron Zeta chapter
Counseling
Theoretical Orientation
My counseling style is based on theories of humanism, behaviorism, and systems theory. I believe humans are self-directed, ever striving toward self-actualization, guided by the principles of behavior. Their problems (and successes) can be conceptualized through the lens of both external and internal systems. Thus, when I work with clients, I use an integrated approach of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), internal family systems (IFS), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Through these flexible therapies, I’m able to adapt the counseling plan based on the unique needs and goals of the client.
Counseling Experience
| Counselor & Owner Mindful Counseling St. Louis, MO (May 2022 – present) |
| Mindful Counseling is a private practice offering individual counseling. Primary duties: – Provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders – Create and maintain client records and documentation following insurance contracts, legal requirements, and best practices – Manage business operations by keeping accounting records, marketing, and maintaining insurance credentialling – Supervise provisionally licensed professional counselors through direct review of all documentation and weekly supervision sessions |
| Counselor Horizon Hope Counseling O’Fallon, IL (Aug 2020 – Dec 2024) |
| Horizon Hope Counseling is a group private practice offering individual and family counseling. Primary duties: – Provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders – Create and maintain client records and documentation following insurance contracts, legal requirements, and best practices |
| Counselor III Gateway Foundation Caseyville, IL (Jul 2017 – Oct 2020) |
| Gateway Foundation is a non-profit agency offering treatment of substance use disorders at the residential and partial hospitalization levels of care. Primary duties: – Provided direct care to clients admitted to treatment through co-creation of a treatment and discharge plan and regular individual counseling – Completed biopsychosocial assessments of incoming clients to determine level of care placement and treatment needs – Facilitated counseling and educational groups including process group, DBT skills, mindfulness, and relapse prevention – Acted as supervisor on duty in the absence of a clinical supervisor by providing consultation and direction to other staff – Supervised masters-level interns by providing weekly individual supervision and reviewing all documentation |
Specialized Training & Experience
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- Treatment of substance use and addiction disorders
- Treatment of anxiety, depression, and bipolar and related disorders
- Treatment of trauma and related disorders
- LGBTQ+ issues, including provision of gender affirming care
- Providing neurodivergent-competent care
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Level of Care Placement Criteria
Other Experience
| Health Services Advisory Group St. Louis, MO (Aug – Oct 2023) | Contracted to assist in the audit of Medicaid managed care organizations utilization reviews to determine if decisions to deny treatment authorizations were made based on appropriate criteria for medical necessity |
| Aviary Recovery Center Eolia, MO (Apr – Jun 2023) | Contracted to create rotating group curricula for residential substance use treatment program on topics of DBT, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, and readiness for change |