Team
Franco Counseling Associates PC
Meet the Team Behind Franco Counseling
At Franco Counseling Associates, our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized mental health care to individuals and families throughout Carlisle, PA and the surrounding communities. We understand that every person's journey is unique, which is why we take the time to listen, build trust, and develop meaningful therapeutic relationships that support lasting growth and well-being.
Our experienced professionals are passionate about helping patients navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope. Through a warm, supportive, and judgment-free environment, we strive to empower every individual to achieve their mental health goals and live a healthier, more fulfilling life. Contact us today to learn more about our team and how Franco Counseling can support you or your loved one.
Megan Briggs is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings since completing her Master of Arts in Music Therapy in 2010. Whether providing group and individual therapies in a hospital with adults, military service members or retirees; or outpatient treatment of adults and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, and life adjustments, Megan believes that engaging in therapy is an opportunity for growth, finding peace, and learning about the self.
While completing her Doctor of Education degree in Clinical Care and Counseling in 2024, Megan recognized that trauma-focused work is her passion and chose Traumatology as her emphasis. Advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Parts and Ego State theory, and Cognitive Processing provide Megan with important tools for healing. She discusses these and other options with clients to determine which modality would best meet their needs.
As a therapist, Megan understands she has no answers, just a lot of curious questions to help guide individuals towards the insight they are seeking. Sometimes people get stuck, and therapy can offer resources and new insights to be able to move forward into a healthier, more balanced, and peaceful way of being.
Megan lives in the Carlisle area with her daughter and two cats. She enjoys reading, making music, crafting, and being active outdoors
Megan Briggs, EdD, MT-BT, LPC
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown
Education
- BM Music Education, Susquehanna University, 2008
- MA Music Therapy, Drexel University, 2010
- Board Certified Music Therapist, Certification Board for Music Therapists, 2010
- Licensed Professional Counselor, Pennsylvania, 2016
- EdD Community Care and Counseling: Traumatology, Liberty University, 2024
John-Paul Checkett, PhD
"One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is the opportunity to hear people who were very nervous about seeking help telling me they wish they had come in sooner."
Education
- B.A., Psychology and English, 1989, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Univ. of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, 1995 Univ. of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
- Clinical Internship, 1993-1994, Michigan State Univ. Counseling Center East Lansing, MI
- Psychology License, IN 1995, PA 1996
- Staff Psychologist, 1994-1996, Madison Center and Hospital, South Bend, IN
- Associate Director of the Counseling Center, 1996-2009, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
John-Paul Checkett first became interested in Psychology as a teenager through volunteer work in the New York City Public School System. He originally intended to work with children, however his experience working at a university counseling center made him appreciate the variety and challenges of working with adults. Although a native of Brooklyn, NY, he lived and practiced in the Midwest prior to coming to Carlisle. In 1996, he became the Assistant Director of Counseling Services at Dickinson College, and shortly after joined the staff of Franco Associates.
Dr. Checkett's research has focused on how people's belief systems help them cope with the difficulties of daily life. He has used this knowledge to assist people struggling with depression, relationship difficulties, anxiety, and other problems. Because our cultures play an important role in defining who we are, Dr. Checkett is also careful to take a person's gender, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation into account when designing a plan to assist the whole person.
In many ways returning to Carlisle is a homecoming for Rebekah who first arrived here as a Dickinson College student. After exchanging the country outside of Schuylkill Haven, where she was raised, for another small town, she then explored less familiar settings with a year in Germany followed by a semester in southeastern Kentucky. Whether conversing in a foreign language or harmonizing with a local folksinger, Rebekah was intrigued by seeing through the differences among people and cultures to find the shared experiences that connect us to each other.
Since 1988, Dr. Feeser has provided mental health services in various public, private, and academic settings. Her initial training as a family therapist provided the foundation for her current work with adult individuals and couples. She has significant experience and success providing both short-term treatment as well as depth psychotherapy. In addition, she has facilitated psycho-educational groups and presented workshops on topics ranging from stress reduction and communication skills to self-esteem. Her psychotherapy practice integrates psychodynamic, developmental, and humanistic theories with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based strategies.
Dr. Feeser assists both men and women to increase self-understanding and appreciation of their specific life contexts while moving beyond problematic behavior toward desired goals and more satisfying relationships with others. She has experience with diverse clients addressing histories of addiction and abuse, sexual orientation issues, binge/purge disorders, chronic illness, relationship difficulties, loss, and spirituality. She brings to her work a profound respect for the individual's creative efforts to endure and ability to work toward change.
Along with her husband and daughter, she enjoys travel and the pleasure of unstructured family time. Rebekah's interests include meditation, yoga, and gardening. She also enjoys “getting lost in a good book,” writing, and attending movies, arts, and music events.
Rebekah L. Feeser, PhD
“I have a deep appreciation of context, the places we have been and the choices we have made, and how this affects our beliefs about ourselves. I see all parts of our experience as significant clues to our personal story, the one we are currently living and the life we would like to create.”
Education
- B.A., Germanic studies, 1982, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
- M.S., Community Counseling, 1988, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, 1997, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- Staff Therapist, Post-Doctoral Resident, and Clinical Supervisor, Women's Therapy Center, Philadelphia, PA, 1994-2003
- PA State Psychology License, 2002
- Private practice, Philadelphia, PA, 2002-2005
- Franco Psychological Associates, 2005
Eric J. Fringer, LCSW
“People need to know that no matter what they’ve been through, they are not alone. There are always others who can understand and have been in the same place. I think helping someone to feel understood is an important step toward change and growth.”
Education
- B.S Degree in Psychology, 1998, Clarion Univ. of PA, Clarion, PA
- Master of Social Work Degree, 2001, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- PA License, Social Work, 2001
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 2009
Eric Fringer joined Franco Psychological Associates, PC in April of 2006, after working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings. These included Behavioral Health and Rehabilitative Services Wraparound programs, outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, and an outpatient mental health clinic.
Eric’s clinical interests and areas of expertise include anger management training, grief counseling, and treating children and adults with anxiety disorders. He has substantial experience in working with youngsters with ADHD. Working collaboratively with schools, appropriate agencies and other professionals is essential to Eric’s practice.
Eric currently resides in the Carlisle area with his wife and his three children. He enjoys participating in, watching, and coaching athletic activities, vacationing with family and any kind of outdoor/wilderness activity.
Jessie E. Harpel-Fickes grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and had an early fascination about people’s patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving, and relating and how those patterns come to be. This fascination prompted Jessie to pursue an academic understanding of psychological processes, as well as to seek life opportunities to expand her experiential comprehension and vicarious learning. Ultimately, the desire to truly understand another person-or another family or another culture-and to use that understanding to be a positive impact in the world, lead her to the counseling profession.
Jessie views psychotherapy as a collaborative process between client and clinician that is built on trust, honesty, and authenticity. From a strengths-based perspective, she uses eclectic theories and counseling interventions to help people achieve personal success, understanding, and growth. Jessie has worked doing in-home therapy and outpatient therapy with individuals throughout the lifespan, and particularly enjoys working with children and adolescents. She enjoys dream work in therapy, creative approaches such as sandtray, and is well versed in traditional talk therapy. Jessie specializes in the treatment of attachment-related disorders, behavioral disorders of childhood, mood disorders, anxiety disorder, identity concerns, and complicated grief. Jessie holds a level one certification in Rational Living Therapy and is a certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapist and level 1 Trainer. She also has experience facilitating group psychotherapy for children dealing with grief and loss as well as young adults with addictions.
Outside of the office, Jessie enjoys running and being active outdoors, spending time with family and friends, visiting local shops and eateries, escaping into the world of literature, volunteering, and attempting to play the guitar.
Jessie E. Harpel-Fickes, MS, NCC, LPC
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” -Viktor Frankl
Education
- BA in Psychology from Dickinson College, 2007
- Study Abroad, University of Queensland, Australia, 2005
- Participant in Habitat for Humanity Global Village Program, India, 2005
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University, 2012
- National Certified Counselor, 2012
- Licensed Professional Counselor, PA, 2014
Professional Memberships
- American Counseling Association,
- Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling,
- Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities
David L. Horsh, MS, NCC, LPC
“Just like the lotus, we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world” ~ unknown
Education
- BA in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2001
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, 2012
- National Certified Counselor, 2012
- Licensed Professional Counselor, 2015
David Horsh grew up in a small town outside of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and from an early age developed an interest in learning about others and their cultures. During the first year of college, his interest grew and he began to pursue a degree in psychology and sociology. Through various personal and professional experiences, David continued to develop his understanding of the human spirit and the impact that counseling has on it.
David believes that the counseling experience is a collaborative effort where individual’s strengths are identified and encouraged to promote improved well-being. Building on his experience in child and adolescent behavioral health programs and in adult psychiatric rehabilitation, David takes a person-centered approach that incorporates the individual’s strengths to assist in reaching their goals. David also received training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which introduced him to the concept of mindfulness and a more cognitive approach to his therapy style.
In his leisure time, David enjoys a variety of creative activities including drawing, knitting and time in nature to engage his mind, body and spirit. He currently lives in Chambersburg with his girlfriend and their two cats and a dog.
Jennifer McClellan was born in the small town of Cumberland in Western Maryland. Although she had a passion for helping others early on, it was her personal suffering and related experiences seeking help that eventually directed her journey towards a career as a professional counselor. Her history has given her an aptitude for empathy, a compass for insight, and an anchor of enduring hope. Jennifer’s education began with her undergraduate studies in psychology and was followed by work at a domestic violence agency. Her next step brought her to Pennsylvania where she earned a Master’s in Counseling at Shippensburg University. Since then, Jennifer’s employment has focused on both mental health and addiction’s counseling and has encompassed a clientele of diversified concerns and backgrounds. Each encounter has been a great source of learning as she has embraced the importance of authenticity and developed necessary skills of incorporating and adjusting a variety of approaches to meet each person’s needs.
Jennifer views counseling as both a therapeutic relationship and process that enables a person to safely engage in healing and personal growth. Her approach is holistic, recognizing that a person’s development is impacted by physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains. Jennifer recognizes individuals’ strengths and struggles are important aspects of identity, and awareness and acceptance of both are crucial to change.
Jennifer’s personal engagements are centered in church and community. She is a part of a worship ministry and finds connection in music, meaningful relationships, prayer, reading and nature. Jennifer values learning and exploring new avenues for personal growth.
Jennifer McClellan, MS, NCC, LPC
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
– Anais Nin
Education
- BS in Psychology from Frostburg State University, 2007
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University, 2014
- National Certified Counselor, 2017
- Licensed Professional Counselor, PA, 2019
Julie Sanders, MS, NCC, LPC
Education
- Bachelor's degree in psychology: December 2017
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling December 2020
- Board Certified Counselor: April 2021
- Licensed Professional Counselor (PA): June 2023
Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor who believes therapy is about identifying what's "not working" and finding creative ways to either "make it work" or to find meaningful ways to adjust to life's discomforts. Julie believes therapy can be a life changing experience that requires transparency and commitment.
Julie is experienced in working with grief and loss issues, interpersonal issues in relationships, substance use, and mood disorders. In her spare time, Julie enjoys kayaking, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, walking her dogs around Carlisle, and traveling to new places with her family.
Brynn grew up in Central Pennsylvania. She has worked in human services in many settings during her career. Initially she provided care in behavior modification during graduate school. Her interest shifted to substance use disorders once she recognized that it impacts all individuals whether it be personal use, family members, or friends. Once she obtained a master’s degree she split her time between school-based substance abuse counseling and school-based mental health counseling at two different agencies.
Returning from Maryland after a leave of absence to raise her child, she continued in the counseling field in the outpatient setting. She provided sessions in mental health, substance abuse and medication assisted treatment. She then decided to move back to school-based services. During that time, she achieved her license in professional counseling. She continues to provide school-based counseling but has since resumed outpatient services on a part-time basis as well.
Brynn’s primary focus in counseling is to join clients where they are. She continuously adapts to client needs to assist them in their counseling journey and meet their individual goals. Every family is impacted by mental health and/or substance use concerns. For this reason, having family involved in the process is key and she believes in this common ground we can thrive. Approaches can range from talk therapy, solution-focused therapy, to creative art therapy.
Outside of work Brynn enjoys ballet, weight training, and overlanding. She lives with her significant other, daughter and dog.
Brynn Thompson, MS, NCC, LPC
“Change is process, not an event.” - John P. Kotter
Education
- BA in Psychology from University of Delaware, 2005
- MS in Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University, 2009
- Drew’s Hope Grief and Loss Facilitator, 2009
- National Certified Counselor, 2009
- Licensed Professional Counselor, PA, 2025
Caron A. Zell, MA, LPC
“My destination is no longer a place, rather a new way of seeing.”— Marcel Proust
Education
- BA in English and American Literature, New York University, 2000
- MA in Applied Clinical Psychology, Penn State University, 2013
- Certified Family Based Mental Health Professional, 2014
- Nationally Certified Psychologist, North American Association of Masters in Psychology (NAMP), 2015
- Licensed Practicing Counselor, Pennsylvania, 2015
Caron developed her interest in psychotherapy through an indirect route. After completing her undergraduate degree and living in New York, she was drawn to working in schools with youth. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, Caron continued to work in the school system with children who had special needs. For her, this experience quickly grew into a passion for the mental health profession, and for being a part of a helping relationship. Since then, Caron has worked in many settings with adults, children, and families with a variety of concerns and behavioral/emotional needs.
Each person is unique, and brings different sources of strength as well as different needs to treatment; Caron appreciates each client’s individuality and uses a variety of techniques and creative interventions depending on these factors. Collaborating with schools and other professionals is important to her work. She strongly believes in the importance of an authentic, honest therapeutic relationship. Her theoretical orientation is a merging of psychodynamic, systems, and cognitive-behavioral theories, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches. She has experience treating a diverse population, and views multi-cultural competence as a key area of her continuing personal growth.
Caron has completed a three-year training program in Eco-systemic Structural Family Therapy, and a particular area of interest is treating children and families who have experienced trauma and who may be experiencing child/caregiver attachment difficulties. She also enjoys working with individual adults and couples to address areas including trauma, mood-related issues such as depression and anxiety, fertility and family planning, and domestic violence.
Caron lives in the Carlisle area with her husband, and can often be found with her nose in a book or cooking. She spends much of her time outdoors through volunteering, kayaking, gardening, and hiking with her dogs.
