Frances Merz, LPC

Frances Merz is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in New Jersey with 19 years of clinical experience. She approaches counseling as a collaborative process, believing people seek therapy to create change - whether that means resolving a specific problem, improving a life situation, making a decision, or gaining deeper understanding of personal circumstances. Frances draws from an eclectic set of therapeutic techniques and tailors methods to each person’s strengths, needs, and goals rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.

Her experience includes supporting individuals dealing with low self-esteem, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, parenting challenges, career transitions, and the everyday stressors that arise in college and early adulthood. She often works with college students and adults navigating life changes, and she has particular interest in supporting those contemplating or recovering from weight loss surgery. Frances also assists clients who need help with medical advocacy - brainstorming questions for medical providers, navigating healthcare conversations, and coping with health-related concerns - drawing on long personal experience in medical contexts.

Frances does not provide marriage or relationship counseling online, nor does she offer services for serious mental illness in an online format. She views counseling as joint work that requires client engagement and courage, and she customizes treatment techniques accordingly. Frances is available Monday through Thursday and typically responds to messages within 24 hours. She looks forward to supporting and empowering clients in pursuit of their therapeutic goals.

Practical Approaches and Online Therapy Options

Frances Merz uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy as primary tools in her practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to change them. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and stress-related problems. Solution-Focused Therapy centers on identifying a client’s strengths and small, achievable steps toward preferred outcomes; it is especially helpful for people seeking concrete progress on career decisions, transitions, or short-term goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Frances works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts techniques as progress and feedback guide the work together.

Online therapy with Frances is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to fit counseling into busy schedules, support people during life transitions, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not feasible. Licensed professionals can use these formats to deliver focused, goal-oriented treatment tailored to each client’s situation.