Frances Berniger , LPC

Frances Berniger is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing with two decades of experience in the mental health field. The LPC credential stands for Licensed Professional Counselor and identifies a clinician qualified to provide professional counseling services in states where she is licensed.

Before becoming a counselor, she spent sixteen years as a special education teacher, a background that informs her patient, strengths-focused approach to supporting adults. That early work cultivated an emphasis on practical strategies and individualized care that she carries into her counseling practice.

Her clinical focus is on adults aged 35 and older who are navigating grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. She also works with spouses or children of individuals with personality disorders, with particular experience related to narcissism. In session she offers a safe and compassionate space and uses evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, strength-based techniques, and solution-focused strategies. Clients are guided to develop skills and tools for coping, improving relationships, and meeting everyday challenges, with an emphasis on practical progress and personal resilience. She is open to video sessions when that is preferred.

Approaches and Online Care with Frances Berniger

Frances Berniger draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based techniques to help clients make practical changes in their daily lives. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and developing concrete strategies to shift them - it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Mindfulness therapy introduces present-focused awareness and calming practices to reduce rumination and increase emotional regulation, which can help with trauma responses and ongoing anxious or depressive symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Frances collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors interventions, combining elements as needed so that therapy aligns with the client’s pace and priorities.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations. These options can make it easier to maintain regular sessions, fit therapy into a busy schedule, and continue care through life transitions while working toward meaningful change.