We recently connected with Francine Bejarano and have shared our conversation below.
Francine, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic began with a drive to be the hardest worker in the room. Right out of high school, I joined the workforce in telemarketing and later spent 13 years at a family-run real estate title company. During those years, I believed success meant working the most and the hardest, often putting in 20+ hours of overtime while earning my undergraduate degree. I was focused on proving myself, hoping that this dedication would lead to recognition and growth.
When I entered my graduate program in counseling, I made a significant shift, choosing to leave my job to focus solely on my studies with the support of scholarships, financial aid, and my partner. Initially, I thought my old approach to work would apply, pushing to be ‘the best’ by sheer output. But in the counseling program, I learned that a sustainable work ethic in this field requires both dedication to others and commitment to my own well-being. Burnout prevention was emphasized, and I came to see that setting boundaries and engaging in self-care is not just healthy but essential.
Now, I balance my drive with practices that help me stay grounded and recharged. When a migraine strikes, I rest rather than push through; if a day has been emotionally taxing, I take time to run, paint, or simply reflect. I’ve come to value my well-being as much as my dedication to my work, and I’m proud of the shift I’ve made. By prioritizing my needs, I’m more present and effective in helping others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My passion lies in working with relationships. I’m a couples and family therapist with a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Colorado-Denver. Interestingly, when I began my graduate studies, I believed couples therapy would be the most challenging area, so I initially wanted to focus on families or children. However, during a couples therapy course, I had the opportunity to practice with a volunteer couple and chose to try Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)—an experiential, less structured approach. I immediately connected with its depth and emotional resonance. Since then, I’ve trained extensively in EFT and am working toward certification.
As I develop my practice and refine my niche, I find myself most drawn to serving the BIPOC community and individuals in interracial or ethically non-monogamous relationships. This population is often underserved by therapists with shared lived experiences, and while polyamory and ethically non-monogamous relationships are becoming more accepted, there’s still much progress to be made in providing culturally attuned care.
I combine EFT with Narrative Therapy, which considers how societal influences shape an individual’s worldview and relationships. I also incorporate a trauma-focused lens, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) to address both ‘big’ and ‘small’ traumas that impact relational dynamics. Blending these approaches allows me to meet clients where they are, honoring their unique experiences and identities while helping them build stronger, more cohesive connections.
As my practice, Palette of Hope Counseling, grows, my focus remains on offering a safe, inclusive space for marginalized identities, particularly for BIPOC individuals, interracial couples, and those exploring non-traditional relationships. My goal is to help clients see themselves as the artists of their own lives, with hope as their palette
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey are perseverance, humility, and flexibility. These qualities can work together harmoniously, allowing you to grow and adapt, especially in fields that demand both skill and emotional resilience.
Perseverance has been essential. Early on, my journey involved balancing a full-time job with my undergraduate studies, putting in long hours to prove myself. Even when faced with challenges—financial constraints, career pivots, or intense study loads—I stayed committed. For those starting out, perseverance is about finding ways to keep going even when the path isn’t clear. Remind yourself of the long-term goals that fuel your passion, and keep moving toward them even when progress seems slow.
Humility taught me the value of learning from others. In my early career, I was focused on proving myself through long hours and a ‘best in the room’ mindset. But as I moved into the counseling field, I had to recognize my limits and listen closely to both mentors and clients. If you’re just beginning, stay open to learning and to feedback. Humility means acknowledging that growth often requires adjusting your approach, seeking guidance, and even unlearning past behaviors.
Flexibility has been critical, especially in adapting to the demands of a new career in counseling. I initially thought my work ethic meant overextending myself, but in this field, I’ve learned that flexibility means setting boundaries, adjusting to clients’ needs, and taking care of myself to prevent burnout. For those early in their careers, flexibility can mean embracing change, experimenting with different approaches, and not holding too tightly to a single path.
My advice to those just beginning is to cultivate these three qualities as skills. They will serve as tools to navigate challenges and open you up to unexpected opportunities and insights. Persevere through the obstacles, remain humble enough to learn and evolve, and stay flexible so you can adapt as you grow.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been starting my own private practice, Palette of Hope Counseling. This decision was catalyzed by a challenging experience at a group practice where I initially hoped to find mentorship and support as a BIPOC clinician. I chose to work there because the practice was led by a woman of color and specifically supported BIPOC clinicians, which aligned with my desire for guidance from someone who understood my lived experiences and the unique needs of the populations I wanted to serve.
Unfortunately, the reality fell short. Financial instability and delayed payments became frequent issues, with me and my colleagues waiting weeks or even months to be compensated for our work. This experience pushed me to take the leap and create something where I could ensure both my professional integrity and financial stability were safeguarded. Starting my own practice has been one of the scariest, yet most rewarding steps I’ve taken, and I’m excited about the future and the ability to support clients on my terms. Palette of Hope Counseling has given me not only autonomy but a renewed passion and commitment to my mission.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Personal Photo- Lynette Marie Photography
Couple, Family, Logo – Canva AI
Quote- My own from my website
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