- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Medical advocacy support
About Frances
Frances Merz is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey with 19 years of clinical experience. She works with people who want to change a situation, solve a problem, or gain clearer understanding of their life. Her focus areas include anxiety, stress, self-esteem, career concerns, and social anxiety and phobia.
Frances uses practical counseling methods selected to fit each person. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy among other approaches. Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented, with techniques chosen to match a client's strengths and needs.
She has supported people facing everyday stress, parenting challenges, sleep problems, grief, trauma and abuse, and mood concerns such as depression and bipolar disorder. She also helps those coping with compassion fatigue, ADHD, and seasonal affective disorder. Frances has particular interest in young adult issues and life-purpose questions.
Frances offers help for people planning or recovering from weight loss surgery and for those needing medical advocacy support. That work includes brainstorming questions for medical providers and strategizing how to manage health-related appointments and decisions. Her personal experience with the medical system informs practical tips she shares.
Counseling with Frances is described as a joint effort that asks for client effort and follow-through. She avoids a one-size-fits-all model and adapts techniques when something is not working. Messages are typically returned within 24 hours on weekdays Monday through Thursday.
Cognitive behavioral and solution-focused work for online sessions
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It uses clear steps and exercises to test unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors, which can help with anxiety, low mood, and sleep problems.Solution-Focused Therapy centers on what a person wants to change next. It highlights small, practical steps and existing strengths to build momentum toward specific goals like better coping with stress or improving confidence in social situations.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, preferences, and everyday life. Techniques may be adjusted over time if something is not helping.
Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make scheduling easier and help fit sessions around school, work, or medical appointments. Some formats allow shorter check-ins or phone-only conversations when that better matches a person's routine, while other formats support full-length conversations and in-session exercises. Talk with Frances about how to shape sessions to fit daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
19+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, career questions, sleep problems, grief, trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and social anxiety and phobia.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses practical, goal-oriented methods and adapts techniques to each person's strengths and needs.
How long has she practiced?
She has 19 years of experience as a clinical counselor.
What credential and location are listed?
She is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) licensed in New Jersey.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.