About Us
We are a team of licensed therapists who utilize counseling approaches informed by our many years of experience to provide a quality individualized treatment plan that is tailored to our client’s needs and resulting in increased confidence, growth and healing.
Our Mission
The mission of The Franklin Center for Human Services (The Franklin Center) is to provide client driven, high quality behavioral health care and counseling to the people of Franklin, Massachusetts, surrounding towns and beyond (via telehealth), with a special emphasis on children, adolescents, and their family members.
Who We Are
The Franklin Center for Human Services, LLC was founded in May of 2019 by the husband-and-wife team of Vicki Grauer, LICSW, and Ron Platt, two human services professionals, each with over 40 years of experience in the full range of services to children, adolescents, and their families. Their intent in creating The Franklin Center was to establish an agency serving Franklin and the surrounding area that has a focus on providing caring behavioral health services and counseling to children, adolescents, and their families.
Vicki comes to The Center from a long career providing mental health services and counseling, primarily to children and adolescents in outpatient and residential treatment settings, most recently as a Clinic Director of a large outpatient clinic in Franklin, Massachusetts for twenty-four of her forty-two years as a mental health professional.
Ron brings a 40+ year career as a senior/executive leader in human services to the Franklin Center with hopes to not only set up the Center to address the mental health counseling needs of kids and their families in the Franklin area, but to also help it become an advocate for children’s mental health issues in this area of Massachusetts.
Our team of professional therapists all share that same depth of experience, passion for the work, and commitment to that same vision for The Franklin Center that drove its founding, helping their clients build the confidence in their capacity to meet the stresses that today’s world throws at them.
Staff Of The Center
Ron Platt, Director of Operations
Ron is an experienced, skilled, results-driven executive with 40 plus years of senior management and consulting experience in the public and private nonprofit world enhanced with 12 years in the corporate sector.
He brings a wide and deep skill set to The Franklin Center that includes strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, marketing communications, project management, public relations, government relations, public policy analysis, organization development, brand development, along with staff development and supervision.
His human services background has included leading agencies or teams in healthcare, organization development, child welfare, child mental health counseling, family support programs, elder services, and drug treatment.
Currently he is also pursuing his other passion, as a Little League baseball head coach in Providence, RI.
Vicki Grauer, LICSW, Clinical Director
During this crisis of coronavirus restrictions and disruption of family routines, many kids are anxious with worries about school, missing friends, and not being able to enjoy their normal activities. Telehealth counseling sessions (video) are a way to offer support and to help both kids and parents talk about the challenges they are facing. The goal of sessions is to help family members develop positive coping strategies, enhance communication and build self-confidence during this challenging time. Sometimes kids need a neutral, outside person with whom to sort their feelings. Helping kids in this way is the focus of my work.
My career has been dedicated to the treatment of children and adolescents with a wide range of presenting issues including: family disruptions, school related and social anxiety, depression, ADHD, sexual orientation, gender identity and trauma. My belief in a child’s resilience and ability to grow and heal has inspired my continued work with this population.
If you’re a parent who’s concerned about your child or adolescent or you are a young adult, please feel free to contact me so that we can talk about treatment options that best meet your and/or your child’s needs.
Sandy Dumart, LMFT, Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist
Life can be challenging at every developmental stage and despite our best efforts, navigating these difficulties can feel overwhelming, and at times, insurmountable. It can be extremely helpful to explore personal and family struggles in a neutral, non judgemental, and safe environment. It is my priority to establish a trusted collaborative relationship with my clients to create opportunities for positive growth and progress in this context. We will work to build increased self awareness, self confidence, and effective coping strategies to help you live your best life despite personal circumstances and present challenges.
I have worked extensively with children and adolescents in a variety of settings including schools, therapeutic programs, and outpatient treatment. I truly understand the anguish parents experience when their child is struggling and I utilize a strength based, solution oriented family counseling treatment model.
I welcome and enjoy working with a wide range of individuals and families. My passion for family therapy is rooted in my affinity for working with individuals at every developmental stage. Please feel free to call me and we can discuss your concerns and potential treatment options.
Kathy Harris, LICSW, Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist
The uncertainty in the world today is intensifying many of our feelings of isolation, sadness, anxiety, and depression. New routines may be causing friction among family members who are working or learning from home. Stress levels are high, and lots of people are missing their old lives. It can all seem overwhelming at times. Would you like a safe place to talk through your feelings and learn new ways to cope?
I work with individuals, couples, and families in a caring and compassionate environment to help them feel better about themselves and their relationships. My practice revolves around the idea that even small changes can have a great impact on your life and well being.
If you are looking for supportive counseling, please contact me to discuss treatment options that would meet your needs.
James Fuller, LMHC, Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist
Life presents everyone with challenges that could leave us all feeling sad, anxious, and uncertain to where ” the new normal” is going to take us. Trying to balance today’s life stressors can be very overwhelming. I can offer a confidential and safe environment to discuss what life has presented to you.
Understanding the importance of establishing connection within a therapeutic setting, I work with individuals, couples, and families to offer a path to a greater understanding to their concerns and strategies to improve them.
I try to connect with my clients through empathy, compassion, and the acknowledgment that understanding the human condition can be a complex and evolving challenge. If you feel comfortable with my background, profile, and therapeutic approach… please call or email me for a brief (and free) consultation.
We are Committed to Helping You
Become the Best Version Of Yourself
Our client-centered approach puts you in the right place with the right people, empowering lasting change. Reach out to us today to get started and speak one of our licensed therapists.