Frances McNamara

Practical, empathic counseling with evidence-based methods

LPC Pennsylvania

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Addictions
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Frances

Frances McNamara is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 15 years of clinical experience in Pennsylvania. She has worked across a broad spectrum of presentations, from adjustment and mood disorders to more complex conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.

Background and approach

Frances brings a grounded, authentic presence to sessions and emphasizes practical, evidence-informed methods including cognitive and dialectical approaches. Her style blends structured skill-building with empathic, client-centered attention so people can explore both strengths and challenges.

She values giving clients the space to process difficult experiences like trauma, grief, addiction, and compassion fatigue while also addressing issues of anxiety, depression, ADHD, panic, phobias, and life transitions. Frances aims to partner with people who are ready to work toward clearer coping strategies, improved emotional regulation, and meaningful change.

Therapeutic work with Frances is collaborative and paced to each individual's needs. She integrates CBT and DBT techniques alongside emotion-focused and acceptance-oriented practices to help clients identify helpful thinking patterns, manage intense emotions, and move toward personal goals.

Online approaches grounded in evidence and collaboration

Frances commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors; this approach is often useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and many everyday stressors. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be helpful for intense emotions and relationship-related challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Frances works with each client to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then blends methods that fit the person’s situation. That partnership helps shape whether the work emphasizes skill development, emotion-focused exploration, or values-based action.

Online therapy with Frances is offered through flexible formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access support from wherever the client is located within Pennsylvania. The variety of formats also allows clients to practice new skills between sessions and to choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for them.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Frances address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include mood disorders, panic attacks, paranoia, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress, and SAD.

What therapeutic approaches does she use in sessions?

Her practice integrates several evidence-informed methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness-based techniques.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

Frances brings 15 years of professional experience working with a broad range of mental health concerns from adjustment disorders to more severe and persistent conditions.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania and holds the credential PA LPC PC010157.

Can nonlocal clients work with her in other languages?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for therapy?

Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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

What steps are required to begin therapy?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Depression

Also works with

Addictions Trauma and abuse GriefAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Mood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobias Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Pennsylvania

Languages

English