Doré Frances, Author at Dore Frances

About Doré Frances

Doré Frances is a retired educational consultant, mental health advocate, and founder of Mental and Health Awareness—a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and families with compassionate, accessible resources. With decades of experience supporting young adults, caregivers, and behavioral health programs, Doré now focuses on community engagement and promoting meaningful change through education, storytelling, and collaboration. Known for her direct yet deeply empathetic approach, Doré brings a lifetime of lived experience to her writing, blending professional insight with personal reflections on resilience, trauma recovery, and personal growth. She is especially passionate about youth advocacy, emotional wellness, and amplifying the voices of those often unheard. When she's not writing or connecting with like-minded advocates, you can find Doré exploring the beauty of Colorado with her service dog, Aspen. Let’s build a more understanding, mentally healthy world—one story at a time.

The Mentor Who Changed My Life Forever: A Story of Transformation

I’ll never forget the day I met my mentor, Susanne. I was drifting aimlessly, unsure of my path. Then she entered my life and turned everything around.

Through countless cups of coffee and deep, winding conversations, Susanne became so much more than just a mentor.

She was a guiding light, offering life-changing insights that have shaped my personal and professional journey since 2001. Take a trip with me as I revisit Susanne’s wisdom, which continues to inspire me today

Fall Eight Times, Stand Up Nine

My daughter had just entered residential treatment, I was still dealing with an abusive former husband, and I was overwhelmed with fear and a sense of failure.

The outside world felt like unfamiliar, uncharted territory.

I had just begun advocating for […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T14:25:00-07:00August 18th, 2024|Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Unearthing the Past: Discovering the Truth Buried in Time

I pour a cup of coffee and open my laptop.

It’s time to write, and the blank page awaits. A memory surfaces. But where do I begin?

I call on my inner guides to help me navigate the initial steps of crafting a memory into a story. Transforming vivid recollections into narratives that resonate with universal truths requires immense emotional energy. The pull towards the past, the need to make sense of who I am, and how past events have shaped the person I am today can be compelling and frustrating. My memory is sharp, a gift that sometimes feels like a curse. I’ve been jotting down brief descriptions of moments resurfacing when I reflect on the past.

Some memories stir physical sensations—a […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T14:12:06-07:00August 15th, 2024|Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Bellevue, Washington: The Place That Shaped My Journey

Bellevue, Washington, was one of the places that brought me the most joy. It was a safe haven for me growing up, offering refuge from the abuse, confusion, fighting, and stress of home in Los Altos.

It was where my mother’s sister, Aunt Dorothy, lived, and every summer, George and I would go together—our trip, our escape. In those moments, I could indulge in the fantasy of leaving behind my dad and stepmom for good, dreaming of a new life in Washington, free from the unpredictable chaos that always loomed in the background.

After our mother’s death, my Aunt offered to take George and me in, but my father refused. I later discovered that my mother had named our […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T14:10:05-07:00August 14th, 2024|Bellevue, Washington, Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Reflections on Happiness: Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

It seems that we all long for happiness. I have always aspired to find it.

You’ve likely encountered numerous images and statues of the Buddha, often depicted with a serene expression.

I, too, have several Buddha statues placed throughout my home and on my front porch.

Many spiritual traditions emphasize the pursuit of happiness through practices like mindfulness, meditation, relaxation, and gaining a deeper understanding.

My own spiritual journey began in childhood when I first recognized the suffering that everyone experiences. Then, the loss of my mother ignited a desire within me to escape my suffering and seek happiness.

However, finding peace and happiness was particularly challenging given the circumstances of the household I entered at the age of twelve.

Happiness is a topic that resonates […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T14:02:52-07:00August 12th, 2024|Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Paralyzing Fear: Every Encounter with My Father Changed Me

Every encounter with my father evoked a paralyzing fear unlike any I had ever known.

It felt like I had an invisible barrier up at all times, and every attempt he made to cross it put me on edge, like stepping into enemy territory. We never really hugged—our embraces were stiff as if we were going through the motions, pretending to have a normal father-daughter relationship, eager to get it over with.

At his funeral, I had no choice but to get close to him. It was mandatory to greet a line of relatives upon arrival—ten. I remember how difficult it was to face each one, especially as I approached the end of the line where Dotti, Rick, Ron, my stepmother, and […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T14:00:34-07:00August 10th, 2024|Aldo Cascinai (Dad), Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Struggling Against My Father: A Journey of Conflict and Understanding

I had been struggling against my father … an abusive husband, my faith, my anxiety, and all the injustices in the world

But to what end? I was more distressed and emotionally wounded than ever before. Therapy had become a necessity, helping me navigate the trauma of the sexual abuse inflicted by my father. It was July, and my father was preparing to leave for his annual fishing trip with his friend, Dr. Martinelli. I knew it was time to confront him. So, I drove two hours from Pacific Grove, California, to his house in Los Altos.

As I exited the car, he emerged from the house onto the front porch. At that moment, I felt a sense of assertiveness, personal power, […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T13:56:36-07:00August 9th, 2024|Aldo Cascinai (Dad), Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

The Only Way My Dad Knew How to Show Love – A Personal Reflection

The only way my dad knew how to show love …… was through money.

Money was his universal emotional language, the medium for his apologies, appeasements, grief, guilt, joy, love, pride, and attempts at reconciliation.

I always struggled to see the value in what he was offering. Despite everything that happened in my childhood, I craved a genuine connection.

For my step-brothers, though, money was enough.

They used to say, “If Dad can’t express his feelings, his money works just fine for me.”

Growing up, we never struggled financially. My father was a veterinarian with […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T15:02:32-07:00August 7th, 2024|1161 Covington Road, Aldo Cascinai (Dad), Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Bravery Is Not About Doing What’s Easy – It’s About Facing Challenges

It is about doing what is right.

It means refusing to conform to the crowd.

Even when they say they represent you, even when it might seem beneficial – I have refused to conform.

It means marching to the beat of your drum and standing unapologetically and unwaveringly for your ideals, morals, principles, rights, and values, even in the face of backlash, harassment, and scrutiny.

It is about holding to your values, even when they differ from your business and personal community.

It involves making sacrifices when necessary when someone or something does not align with your values. It means turning down paid opportunities that conflict with your principles. It is about initiating discussions on fundamental and pressing issues, having difficult and honest conversations, and […]

By Doré Frances|2025-02-25T13:51:04-07:00August 4th, 2024|Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

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