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PS Portrait of Penelope Surber

Penelope Surber

Trauma-informed, empathic counselor focused on growth

LMHC Florida

Experience
8 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Penelope

About Penelope

Penelope Surber brings eight years of clinical experience to her practice, combining a background in adult trauma work with a Florida LMHC license. She previously spent six years supporting adults at a recovery center, helping people navigate depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, and trauma-related concerns.

Background and approach

Her practice also addresses a wide range of related difficulties such as abandonment and attachment issues, caregiver stress, codependency, communication and control problems, and the effects of domestic violence and family-of-origin wounds. Surber’s therapeutic manner is warm, person-centered, and interactive, emphasizing respect, empathy, and sensitivity without stigmatizing labels.

She draws on evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Jungian ideas, and client-centered principles to shape individualized treatment plans. By tailoring dialogue and techniques to each person’s circumstances, she aims to support clients through grief, shame, dissociation, and other complex reactions to life stressors.

Those who are ready to pursue change will find a supportive collaborator in her practice. She frames therapy as a process of empowerment and growth and welcomes conversations with people prepared to take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Shared Approaches for Online Healing and Growth



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression; it is practical and goal-oriented, often useful for stress, mood concerns, and coping with addictive patterns. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person’s experience and emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and collaboration to create a safe space for exploration and increased self-understanding. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines skills training in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness to help manage intense emotions and improve relationships.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work together with each client to assess needs, preferences, and goals, then adapt methods and the pace of work so the treatment plan fits the person rather than forcing a single model.

Online sessions make these approaches more accessible through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, allow clients to engage from convenient locations, and enable different modes of interaction depending on whether a client prefers real-time conversation or ongoing text-based support.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and depression, along with related areas like abandonment, attachment issues, codependency, and family problems.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is warm, person-centered, and interactive, integrating client-centered work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, EFT, and Jungian-informed perspectives to tailor care to each person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has eight years of overall clinical experience, including six years providing trauma-focused care at a recovery center prior to licensure in Florida.
What are her official credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed mental health counselor with the designation FL LMHC MH21834 and practices in Florida.
Can people who live outside the United States work with her?
Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.
Which session formats are available for online work?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Jungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English