Fran Adler , LMSW

Fran Cowen Adler is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), a master's-level social worker licensed to practice in Michigan, who brings 25 years of clinical experience to her practice. Since earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1998, she has practiced in a variety of private and group settings and has worked with a broad range of people, including teens, couples, families, Pride/LGBTQ clients, and individuals from early childhood through later adulthood, with clients as young as 3 and as old as 80.

Her work focuses on helping people manage depression, anxiety, stress, relationship and family concerns, workplace or home difficulties, challenges with decision making or career satisfaction, and struggles adapting to life changes. She also supports those coping with grief after a significant loss. Fran frames emotional distress as a natural part of being human and approaches treatment with empathy and practical support.

For people who have never seen a therapist, Fran emphasizes the value of talking with a compassionate professional who exists outside of one’s personal network. She aims to provide an accepting, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore feelings and find paths forward. Over two decades in practice, she has found it an honor to assist many individuals through especially challenging times and remains committed to helping people move toward greater well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Fran Adler draws from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and narrative therapy to tailor support to each person's needs. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy and collaboration, focusing on the client's own goals and strengths to build a trusting therapeutic relationship and address a wide range of emotional concerns. CBT offers practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Narrative therapy helps people reframe the stories they tell about their lives, separating the person from the problem and creating space for new perspectives and solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Fran works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She adapts techniques over time so the work remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy provides flexible options for connecting, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These modalities make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and other commitments, and they allow clients to engage in therapy from locations that are convenient for them while maintaining consistent, ongoing care with licensed professionals.