Discreet, specialized support for those in the public eye

NYC Celebrity Therapist & Coach Francesca Maxime

celebrity psychologist

  • Harvard-educated therapist and coach with extensive experience working with public figures

  • Award-winning professional with a previous career in television journalism, interviewing celebrities and politicians

  • Specialized approach combining mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, somatic experiencing, and relational therapy

  • Deep understanding of the unique pressures facing those in the public eye

  • Complete confidentiality and flexible scheduling to accommodate demanding lifestyles in the USA and abroad

  • Personal experience navigating the public and private life balance

Meet Francesca Maximé

Celebrity therapist & executive coach in NYC

celebrity therapist

I am a Harvard-educated Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, and Relational Life Therapy Couples & Life Coach based in Brooklyn, New York.

My unique professional background includes working with Fortune 500 companies and a career as a television news anchor and correspondent, where I interviewed numerous celebrities and political figures, including Mike Bloomberg, Mitt Romney, Chuck Schumer, Matt Damon, Blake Lively, and Zoe Saldana. This experience gives me a firsthand understanding of the pressures and complexities that come with life in the public eye.

I've also been mentored by renowned experts, including Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, and have completed extensive training in somatic approaches to healing and transformation.

Beyond my unique professional background, I also draw on my personal experiences when working with clients. Growing up as a Haitian-Dominican Italian-American woman in America, I've experienced firsthand how the intersections of race, culture, and visibility create unique challenges and opportunities.

This lived experience, combined with my own healing journey through meditation and somatic practices, allows me to bring authentic understanding and embodied wisdom to our work together, particularly for clients navigating similar complexities in the public eye.

My approach to celebrity& executive coaching

My work with high-profile individuals is built on a foundation of absolute discretion, cultural sensitivity, and trauma-informed care. I integrate evidence-based techniques from Western psychology along with deep wisdom from traditional healing practices to create sessions that can be a sanctuary where you can set down the weight of others' expectations and reconnect with your authentic self.

My holistic approach weaves together mindfulness practices, somatic experiencing, attachment theory, Internal Family Systems, and positive neuroplasticity to create a healing tapestry uniquely suited to your needs. Having spent years both in front of the camera and working with executives, I understand the particular pressures you face—the constant scrutiny, the blurred boundaries between personal and public, the challenge of finding spaces where you can truly be yourself, and life in the public eye.

In our work together, you'll find not just strategies for managing these pressures, but a genuine connection that honors both your exceptional circumstances and your fundamental humanity. This is a place where masks can safely come off, where vulnerability becomes strength, and where your whole self is welcome.

How to start working with a coach & therapist for celebrities & high-profile clients

Step 1: Schedule a confidential Clarity Call

I recognize that discretion is of the utmost importance to my celebrity clients. Our work together is completely private from the start. We'll begin with a no-obligation consultation call where we'll discuss your specific needs and how my approach may help.

Step 2: Create a tailored plan

If we choose to work together, we'll schedule an initial session where we'll collaborate to develop a personalized path forward. We'll discuss which of my services could be a good fit (such as individual vs. couples work), how often we'll meet, and the direction of our work.

Step 3: Get ongoing support

Through regular sessions, you'll get the support you need to navigate the pressures of public life, learn practical tools to manage stress, and prioritize your emotional wellness. Our work together can shift and adapt as needed to fit your needs and schedule.

Common reasons why high-profile individuals seek support

  • Balancing public & private identities

    Celebrities, executives, and other high-profile and high-net-worth individuals often struggle with the disconnect between their public persona and authentic self. This divide can lead to feelings of inauthenticity, identity confusion, and emotional exhaustion. I provide tools to bridge these worlds while maintaining necessary boundaries.

  • Managing relationship dynamics under scrutiny

    Intimate relationships face unique challenges when lived partially in the public eye. Partners may struggle with asymmetrical fame, privacy concerns, or trust issues exacerbated by attention on social media platforms or in the tabloids. My background in couples therapy offers specialized support for navigating these complex waters.

  • Processing success, fame, & its impact

    Success brings unexpected impacts on mental and emotional health that are rarely discussed openly. From imposter syndrome to guilt about privilege, from fear of failure to anxiety about maintaining success, these concerns require a nuanced understanding that acknowledges both the reality of achievement and its emotional complexities.

  • Addressing trauma & stress in high-pressure environments

    The constant demands of high-profile positions create unique stress patterns that can trigger or exacerbate trauma responses and other mental health concerns. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I help clients recognize and regulate these responses, building resilience while healing past wounds.

Is my practice right for you?

therapist for celebrities

There are some situations when I may not be the right match for your needs. Here are some situations in which I often recommend other resources to my high-profile clients.

  • Experiencing an active crisis. If you're experiencing a medical or mental health crisis, I recommend getting immediate support either by calling the 988 Lifeline, calling 911, or visiting your nearest emergency room.

  • Need a higher level of care. Certain issues, like active psychosis, eating disorders, or addiction, may require medical intervention before you seek support from a private practice practitioner like me.

  • Looking for a service I don't offer. If you need formal group therapy, intensive outpatient treatment, or another service I don't offer, I can point you in the right direction.

  • Want support for children. I work exclusively with adults. If you need support for children in the entertainment industry or the public eye, I can recommend some other colleagues.

If you're unsure whether I'm the right practitioner for you, I encourage you to schedule a free Clarity Call so we can discuss your situation directly.

FAQs about therapy for celebrities, executives, & other high-profile individuals

  • Celebrity therapy sessions (and my coaching sessions) address the unique psychological challenges that come with public recognition and scrutiny, all while maintaining total confidentiality to protect your privacy.

    Unlike standard therapy, our work together acknowledges the very real impact of living in multiple worlds simultaneously—your public persona, your professional self, and your private life. We address specific challenges that most people don't experience, like maintaining authenticity under scrutiny, managing relationships affected by fame imbalances, and processing public criticism without internalizing it.

    Having navigated both sides of public life myself, I understand the subtle complexities that standard therapeutic approaches might miss, from the isolation that often accompanies success to the paradoxical pressures of maintaining a consistent public image while allowing yourself to grow and evolve.

  • The choice between therapy and coaching depends on your current needs and goals.

    Therapy typically focuses on healing, processing emotions, and addressing past experiences that may be affecting your present life.

    Coaching tends to be more future-oriented, focusing on specific goals, performance enhancement, and actionable strategies.

    As someone trained in both modalities, I can help you determine which approach would best serve you at this time. Many of my high-profile clients enjoy the flexibility and practicality that coaching offers, especially since my background in therapy allows for deeper processing to happen as needed. The beauty of our work together is that we can fluidly adapt our approach as your needs evolve.

  • Your privacy is my highest priority. I maintain strict confidentiality practices that go beyond standard HIPAA requirements. Sessions can be scheduled under pseudonyms, payment arrangements can be made discreetly, and I offer secure online sessions to protect your privacy (no encountering others in a waiting area). Plus, I never acknowledge client relationships without explicit permission, as I know that even a simple "no comment" can reveal too much.

  • Absolutely. My practice is designed around the realities of high-profile lives. I offer flexible sessions, secure virtual connections across time zones, and when necessary, we can arrange longer, less frequent sessions to accommodate filming schedules or tour dates.

    For clients with particularly demanding periods, I can provide brief check-ins between formal sessions to maintain continuity. Your professional commitments won't become obstacles to your personal growth.

Get the discreet support you've been looking for

The spotlight may highlight your public achievements, but it's in the quiet moments of authentic connection that true healing happens. With my unique background bridging both worlds—from Harvard to working in Fortune 500 companies to on-air television journalism to advanced therapeutic training—I offer a rare combination of understanding, expertise, and genuine care for those navigating the complexities of high-profile lives.

Whether you're facing relationship challenges, identity questions, trauma responses, or simply need a safe space to breathe and be seen, I provide warm, compassionate support that honors both your exceptional circumstances and your human heart. Plus, our work together is completely private and virtual, so you don't have to worry about the logistics of receiving therapy or coaching and being spotted. Let's take the first step toward balance and authentic well-being together, in a space designed specifically for the unique journey of those whose lives impact so many.