Francine Ostrem

Francine Ostrem provides art-based psychotherapy to children and families affected by chronic medical conditions. Recognizing the extensive demands of chronic illness and associated symptom management, she strives to improve quality of life through care that patients find useful as well as enjoyable and motivating.

Ostrem earned a doctorate in German literature from the University of California, Berkeley before earning her master's degree in clinical psychology, with a specialization in expressive arts therapy, at John F. Kennedy University. In addition to providing care at UCSF, she has worked in private practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist for almost two decades. She oversees an art therapy program at Lincoln, a nonprofit serving resource-limited communities, and her work has been supported by the Office of the California Surgeon General and California Department of Health Care Services.

Ostrem is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, American Art Therapy Association, Zero to Three, American Psychological Association and American Diabetes Association.