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PH Portrait of Penny Howland

Penny Howland

Practical, relational therapy focused on change and resilience

LCSW Florida

Experience
40 years in practice
Focus areas
Addictions, Relationship, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Penny

About Penny

Penny Howland brings a pragmatic, evidence-informed approach rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while drawing on psychodynamic ideas when appropriate to help clients explore patterns and heal from long-term difficulties.

Background and approach

She frames treatment around measurable goals and practical strategies, pairing skill-based work for symptoms like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and compulsive behaviors with attention to deeper relational themes and emotional history.

With four decades of practice in medical and mental health environments, Penny has worked in settings such as dialysis units and end-of-life care, and has supported people facing substance use concerns, grief, and a wide range of adjustment challenges.

Her work emphasizes the mind-body connection and bolsters resilience through realistic coping tools, communication improvements, and paced exploration of painful material. Penny holds a Florida LCSW (FL LCSW SW1238) and conducts sessions in English while accepting clients from outside the United States.

She tailors modality and pace to each person’s needs while helping them build balance and function in daily life.

Integrating CBT and Psychodynamic Work Online

Many clients find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helpful for targeting current symptoms and learning concrete skills; this approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and practicing new strategies to reduce anxiety, manage mood, improve sleep, and address compulsive patterns. Psychodynamic therapy complements that work by exploring underlying relational patterns, attachment themes, and emotional history that can influence present difficulties, which can be especially useful for grief, intimacy issues, and long-standing relationship struggles.

Penny approaches treatment collaboratively, helping clients determine which balance of skill-building and deeper exploration fits their goals and preferences. She will discuss options, adjust methods as needs evolve, and involve clients in deciding pacing and focus so therapy feels practical and personally meaningful.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone appointments, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and needs. These remote formats make it easier to receive consistent care across time zones and life circumstances while allowing the same therapeutic work in skills practice, reflective exploration, and behavioral change to take place without requiring travel.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Penny address?
She works with a broad set of issues including addictions, grief, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related problems, sleep and anger concerns, bipolar disorder, and career or coaching needs.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Penny blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with psychodynamic perspectives, using practical skills alongside exploration of recurring patterns and emotional history to support change.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She has been practicing for 40 years in a variety of medical and mental health settings, including work with the terminally ill, dialysis patients, substance abuse, and adjustment disorders.
Where is Penny licensed and practicing?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Florida LCSW registration listed as FL LCSW SW1238 and offers services while based in Florida.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are provided in English, and she does accept clients from outside the United States.
What session formats does she offer?
Therapy can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client preference and availability.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessMen's issuesMidlife crisisObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Psychodynamic Therapy

Experience

40+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English