Hi, I’m Amy Franks — a U.S.-trained, board-certified psychiatrist based in France. I work with English-speaking expats who feel lost, stuck, or unsure of their direction — people who notice themselves repeating unhelpful patterns or questioning their sense of purpose abroad. My clients struggle with various challenges including navigating stressful relationships, navigating identity shifts, or struggling in their career. Through one-on-one, reflective coaching sessions, we explore what’s really beneath those struggles. I am able to utilize my training and psychological understanding to help build lasting change. Together, we uncover patterns, build insight, and utilize practical tools for navigating stress, setting boundaries, and feeling more grounded day-to-day. Sessions are 60-minutes long and typically scheduled every one to two weeks. They may be held in person in Levallois-Perret or via video. My goal is to help you reconnect with clarity and confidence — so you can build a life abroad that supports meaningful relationships, fulfilling work, and a genuine sense of home. Feel free to contact me for a free introductory phone call to see if I can be of help to you!

Professional Qualifications

I am a U.S.-trained psychiatrist who completed my medical degree and psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado, where I later served as Chief Resident. During my training, I was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and received the Dr. Judy Hu Award in recognition of my commitment to teamwork and collegiality. I am board-certified in the United States in adult psychiatry and neurology. Before medical school, I studied Biology, Chemistry, and French at the University of Denver and completed part of my studies at the Catholic University of Paris. That early experience sparked a lasting connection to France and ultimately led me to return after completing my medical training. Throughout my career, I have been involved in work related to refugee and immigrant health and international medical education. These experiences deepened my understanding of the psychological complexities of living between cultures. Now based in Paris, I offer non-medical life coaching to English-speaking expatriates navigating the personal and professional transitions that often accompany building a life abroad. I draw on my medical training and international experience to help clients think clearly, make intentional decisions, and move forward with greater confidence during periods of change. Peer-Reviewed Publications Franks A, Ali DA, Adi A. Clinical and legal considerations when optimizing trauma narratives in immigration law evaluations. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2024. doi:10.29158​/​JAAPL.240080-24. Retrouvey H, Franks A, Dunn T, Novoa K, Ipaktchi K, Lauder A. Management of self-inflicted nonaccidental amputations of the upper extremity: A systematic review. J Hand Surg Am. 2023;48(10):993-1002. doi:10.1016​/​j.jhsa.2023.06.011. Korb PJ, Scott SJ, Franks AC, Virapongse A, Simpson JR. Coding and billing issues in hospital neurology compensation. Neurol Clin Pract. 2016;6(6):487-497. doi:10.1212​/​CPJ.0000000000000290. Preprints Lamparth M, Grabb D, Franks A, Gershan S, Kunstman KN, Lulla A, Drummond Roots M, Sharma M, Shrivastava A, Vasan N, Waickman C. Moving beyond medical exam questions: A clinician-annotated dataset of real-world tasks and ambiguity in mental healthcare. arXiv preprint. 2025. Poster Presentations Suddath A, Franks A, Christie W, Weintraub P, Winston H. Catatonia in obsessive compulsive disorder: A case study and literature review. Poster presented at: 30th European Congress of Psychiatry; June 4–7, 2022; Budapest, Hungary. Arlas N, Coulter J, Franks A, Harrison M, Mullins E, Nguyen T, Walters C, Meredith J, Asdigian N, Moloo J. Youth community health awareness partnership: Alcohol use in the community of refugees from Burma. Poster presented at: Department of Family Medicine Research & QI Poster Session; November 2017; Aurora, CO.