Frances Merz, LPC - Therapist in New Jersey

About Frances

Frances Merz is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey with 19 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people who are facing stress, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, and changes in life. Frances aims to help clients make practical changes, solve problems, and gain clearer understanding of their circumstances.

She uses techniques drawn from several evidence-based methods and matches them to each person's needs and strengths. Sessions are collaborative and tailored rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan.

Background and approach

Frances expects clients to bring effort and honesty, and she offers steady guidance in return. Her background includes long experience addressing common concerns like low self-esteem, social anxiety, career questions, sleep problems, grief, trauma, and ADHD symptoms. She also works with people dealing with bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Frances has a particular interest in supporting those considering or recovering from weight loss surgery and in helping people with medical advocacy questions. Frances is available Monday through Thursday and typically replies to messages within 24 hours. She does not provide marriage or relationship counseling online, nor does she work with serious mental illness in online sessions.

Her practice emphasizes practical steps and adaptable strategies to fit each person. Clients can expect straightforward conversation, clear goals, and tools they can use between sessions. Frances aims to empower people as they work toward the changes they want to make.

How Frances Uses Practical Therapies Online

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real life. It helps people manage anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress by learning new ways to respond to difficult situations.

Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, concrete changes and the steps that lead to them. It is useful when someone wants to solve a specific problem, set short-term goals, or find forward-moving strategies quickly.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Frances will work together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time if something is not working and checks in about progress and next steps.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make counseling more accessible. These options allow people to fit sessions into busy schedules and to use the format that feels most comfortable. The variety of formats also lets Frances provide consistent support even when life gets hectic.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Frances address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, sleeping issues, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related topics such as life purpose and young adult issues.

What is her general approach in session?

She uses practical, goal-focused methods and adapts techniques to each person. Sessions aim to set clear goals and give tools people can use between meetings.

How much experience does she have?

Frances has 19 years of experience working as a clinical counselor in New Jersey.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC - licensed in New Jersey with license number NJ LPC 37PC00409500.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

She is not accepting international clients at this time and works with people located in New Jersey.

What session formats are offered?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies based on location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What do I do to begin working together?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Self esteem
Career difficulties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 19 years
Licensed: New Jersey
Languages: English

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