Fran Adler , LMSW

Fran Cowen Adler is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan who earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1998 and has built a 25-year career in clinical practice. The LMSW credential indicates a master's-level social work license that permits clinical practice under Michigan rules.

Her work spans private and group settings and includes therapy with teens, couples, families, Pride/LGBTQ clients, and individuals ranging in age from 3 to 80. Over the course of her career she has supported people facing depression, anxiety, stress, work and home challenges, family conflicts, relationship difficulties, trouble making decisions, career dissatisfaction, adjustment to change, and grief after significant loss. She also addresses a broad range of concerns including trauma and abuse, addictions, intimacy and sexual issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting and caregiver stress, and coping with chronic illness or end-of-life issues.

Fran approaches emotional pain as a common part of the human experience and offers a nonjudgmental, accepting environment where a person can explore feelings and options with a trained professional who exists outside their everyday relationships. Across 25 years of practice she has considered it an honor to help many people navigate difficult transitions and move toward greater coping and resilience.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Fran Adler

Fran Adler integrates client-centered therapy, which emphasizes empathetic listening and supports people in exploring their own values and solutions; this approach is often helpful for issues like self-esteem, relationship concerns, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also used to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical strategies, making it a common choice for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Narrative therapy offers a way to reframe personal stories and separate people from their problems, which can be useful for addressing identity, trauma, and patterns that feel stuck.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Fran works collaboratively with each person to identify methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting direction as therapy progresses. This collaboration helps align techniques with what a client finds most useful.

Fran offers online options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase accessibility and flexibility. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, to connect from home or during caregiving responsibilities, and to maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are difficult. Licensed professionals can adapt therapeutic tools to work effectively across these modalities while staying focused on the client’s goals.