Michelle Pennella

Compassionate therapy grounded in practical strategies

LMHC New York

Experience: 4 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Michelle

Michelle Pennella is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in New York who uses evidence-informed methods to help people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and mood or personality concerns.

Background and approach

She emphasizes practical skill building alongside compassionate support, aiming to help clients understand unhelpful patterns and develop clearer ways to cope and move forward. Her practice emphasizes self-compassion, clarifying personal purpose, and strengthening resilience through tailored interventions.

Sessions are conducted in a nonjudgmental space where difficult feelings and past experiences can be examined and processed while learning healthier habits and emotional regulation techniques. Pennella draws from a range of approaches, including cognitive behavioral strategies, acceptance-based techniques, mindfulness, and dialectical methods, adapting these to each person’s needs.

She combines collaborative problem solving with attention to values and meaning, with the goal of helping clients transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

How evidence-informed approaches translate to online care

Michelle Pennella integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her online practice. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering concrete strategies for managing anxiety, depression, obsessions, and mood symptoms. ACT emphasizes clarifying values and increasing psychological flexibility, helping people accept difficult emotions while committing to meaningful actions.

Finding the right approach tends to be a collaborative process. The therapist works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts methods over time rather than adhering strictly to a single model. This flexibility helps tailor interventions so they fit each person’s circumstances and objectives.

Online therapy with this clinician is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing options to suit different schedules and communication preferences. These formats support ongoing access to therapeutic tools and check-ins without requiring travel, and they allow continuity of care across changing life demands.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, depression, and related mood and personality issues as listed in her profile.

What is her therapeutic style like?

The approach blends collaborative problem solving, skill building, and compassionate exploration, using practical techniques alongside values-focused work to support change.

How much clinical experience does she have?

The therapist has four years of professional experience in clinical practice.

What credentials and location should I know about?

She is licensed as an LMHC with license number NY LMHC 015637 and practices out of New York.

In which languages can sessions be conducted?

Sessions are offered in English only according to the provided profile details.

Which session formats are available?

Clients can work with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How is payment handled and what does it cost?

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

What steps are involved in getting started?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse GriefBipolar disorderDepression

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stress Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

4+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English