Frances Berniger , LPC

Frances Berniger is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with two decades of experience helping adults navigate grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions. She holds licensure in both Texas and Virginia and draws on a long history of working with adults, particularly those aged 35 and older, who are coping with complex emotional concerns including the effects of living with or loving someone who has a personality disorder such as narcissism. Frances combines practical skill-building with compassionate support to help people manage symptoms and improve day-to-day functioning.

Before becoming a counselor Frances spent sixteen years as a special education teacher, a foundation that informs her patient, strengths-based approach to treatment. Her clinical toolkit includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, strength-focused techniques, and solution-focused strategies. These methods are used to build coping skills, reduce distress, and identify concrete steps toward clients' goals. Frances emphasizes collaborative work so individuals gain tools they can use outside of sessions.

During four years as an independent contractor with an online counseling service Frances noted many clients preferred audio sessions, though she is also open to video sessions when that better suits a person’s needs. Her practice centers on providing a respectful, empathetic space where adults can explore challenges and work toward meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Frances Berniger integrates several evidence-informed approaches into online work to meet each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and shift patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to anxiety, depression, or stress; it is practical and goal oriented, useful for managing symptoms and building coping skills. Mindfulness therapy emphasizes moment-to-moment awareness and simple attention practices that can reduce rumination and increase emotional regulation; it often supports clients dealing with anxiety, stress, and trauma reactions. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and supporting the person's own capacity for growth - it is especially helpful for building self-esteem and strengthening relationships.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Frances works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. She aims to empower clients to use practical tools between sessions.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit counseling into busy schedules and to receive support from home or another convenient location. These options allow licensed professionals to deliver consistent, ongoing care while accommodating varying communication styles and accessibility needs.