Frances Berniger, LPC

Frances Berniger is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with adults managing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship and intimacy concerns, and struggles with addiction or attention difficulties. Her tone is calm and practical, aimed at people who want clear steps to feel better.

Frances began her career as a special education teacher for sixteen years before moving into counseling work. That background shaped her focus on skill-building and clear guidance. She uses straightforward tools to help people cope with life changes and chronic challenges like caregiving strain, cancer-related stress, or aging concerns.

Her sessions emphasize active listening and practical strategies. Frances draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused work, and motivational interviewing to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and develop new habits. She also uses client-centered methods to adapt to each person's pace and goals.

People who work with Frances can expect help breaking big problems into manageable steps. She offers ways to reduce overwhelm, improve communication, and rebuild confidence after loss or betrayal. Sessions include skills practice, short-term goal setting, and reflection tailored to each person.

Frances provides services from Texas and holds LPC credentials in Texas and Virginia. Sessions are available in English and are offered through several online formats to suit different needs and schedules.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Frances commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy alongside client-centered work. CBT focuses on noticing and changing thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going, which helps with anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and calm the mind, useful for stress, grief, and trauma symptoms. Client-centered methods emphasize listening and adapting to each person's needs, so sessions follow what matters most to the individual.

Finding the best combination is part of the process. Frances works with each person to set goals and try approaches that match their needs and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts plans so therapy stays practical and relevant.

Online formats available include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is helpful for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit short updates, check-ins between sessions, or when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options make scheduling easier and let people fit care into busy days.