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FP Portrait of Frances Patton

Frances Patton

Relationship-focused therapist who uses practical methods

LMFT South Carolina

Experience
13 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Intimacy-related issues
Approaches
Gottman Method, Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages
English

About Frances

Frances Patton is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 13 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people change patterns that keep them stuck.

Background and approach

Her work centers on improving relationships, managing anxiety and depression, and coping with life transitions. She blends practical methods to help clients find clearer ways to communicate and to regulate strong emotions.

Sessions tend to focus on small, usable steps rather than long lectures. Frances draws on approaches that address attachment, behavior, and emotions to meet individual needs.

Her background includes wide experience with trauma, grief, and family-of-origin concerns. She also supports people dealing with intimacy and commitment struggles, codependency, abandonment, and issues tied to infidelity.

Practical skills for sleeping, eating, and daily coping are part of her work when those problems show up. Frances understands what it’s like to go through hard personal changes and has used therapy in her own life.

That lived experience informs a direct yet compassionate style. She offers both faith-friendly and non-religious care depending on a client’s preference.

Sessions are offered remotely to people located in South Carolina. Conversations are focused, honest, and aimed at helping each person get to a better place in day-to-day life.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Gottman Method principles focus on improving communication and reducing damaging interaction cycles by teaching practical skills for managing conflict and building connection. This approach is useful when the issues involve trust, communication problems, or repeating negative patterns in relationships.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds shape current feelings and reactions. It helps people identify connection patterns and develop new ways to feel safer and more understood in close relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and test them with real-life experiments. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep or eating problems, and for building coping skills that change daily behavior.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist discusses goals, tries methods together, and adjusts the plan based on what is working. Clients and the therapist choose strategies that fit the client's needs, values, and pace.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and interactive exercises. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messages are useful for quick updates, skill practice between sessions, or when typing feels more comfortable. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and locations across South Carolina.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Frances address in therapy?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief, trauma and abuse, family problems, sleep and eating concerns, parenting strain, anger, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style combines attachment-based work, cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused methods, Gottman Method principles, and motivational interviewing to create practical, step-by-step change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of experience working with adults on relationship patterns, mood concerns, trauma, and life transitions.
What credentials and location are listed for Frances?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - licensed in South Carolina and practices with a primary location in South Carolina.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available online?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Frances?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCoping with life changes

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMotivational Interviewing

Experience

13+ years

Licensed in

South Carolina

Languages

English