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Dr. Penny Brower, LMFT

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Penny is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Penny. View 19 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Illinois and Illinois

Recent reviews

Dr Brower is the best!

Reviewed December 2024

Dr. Brower's compassion is her secret power. She listens- boundlessly- and gently suggests: books, articles, different perspectives, and ways of looking at things. Her help has had a significant impact on my life.

Reviewed November 2024

More about Penny

  • 34 years' experience
  • Female
  • LMFT, LCPC

In this giant Carnival of Life, are you on the Roller Coaster full of ups and downs, on the repetitive slow-motion Carousel, on the Tilt-A-Whirl feeling unbalanced and squashed by outside forces, in the House of Horrors where every view is distorted and you can hardly find the exit, or on the Raging River where everyone else stays dry while you get drenched?

Are you here by choice and enjoying the adventure, hanging on for dear life and fearing disaster ahead, or confused about how someone was able to drag you here against your better judgement?

Though everyone's Carnival visit is unique, if you invite me to join this part of your journey, I can help you explore the decision-making processes and life events that have led you to this place. I will assist you in building skills and finding resources to thrive beyond the dangerous curves, the jarring stops and reverses, and the nauseating spins and loops. You will be empowered to choose and create more positive, adaptive ways forward, to better enjoy the ride and have a more fulfilling adventure.

Because the best outcomes are achieved with a good client/counselor fit, I always welcome feedback regarding what has been helpful, as well as not helpful, so that methods can be adapted to achieve the best results.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I received my doctoral degree from The University of Iowa and I have worked for over 30 years helping individuals and couples become more intentional and response-able in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

I began my career doing in-home therapy with complex, multi-problem families, and I have worked in Community Mental Health Centers and Private Practice settings. In addition, I worked for 8 years with the Air National Guard, helping to institute a new program that focused on reducing suicide risk and increasing resilience, while reducing the stigma of using mental health services to maximize personal functioning.

When describing people, my least favorite word is NORMAL. I believe that each individual is unique, and deserves to be treated in caring and respectful ways that help them grow, versus being treated like a diagnostic label that needs to be fixed. It is the difference between:

"It sounds like you may be struggling with depressed feelings. Let's explore the conditions that seem connected to when those feelings hit really hard, compared to when they seem to lighten up."

versus

"You are depressed. Here is what you need to do to change."

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Self esteem Depression ADHD Addictions LGBT Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Grief Intimacy-related issues Anger management Coping with life changes Abandonment Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issues Autism and Asperger Syndrome Codependency Communication problems Control issues Divorce and separation Emptiness Family of origin issues Family problems Forgiveness Guilt and shame Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Narcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Prejudice and discrimination Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Self-love Sexual assault and abuse Sexuality Social anxiety and phobia Women's issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Attachment-Based Therapy
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Gottman Method
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems

Licenses

Dr. Penny Brower's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1780605816.

  • LMFT · Illinois · 166.000187 · Expires February 2025
  • LCPC · Illinois · 180.001847 · Expires March 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.

Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.

Reviews for Dr. Penny Brower

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

19 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Understanding The best Helped Helpful Helping Recommend Thankful Best therapist Thank you

Dr Brower is the best!

Reviewed December 2024

Dr. Brower's compassion is her secret power. She listens- boundlessly- and gently suggests: books, articles, different perspectives, and ways of looking at things. Her help has had a significant impact on my life.

Reviewed November 2024

Dr. Brower has been a great source of information and has outstanding listening skills to guide me through many facets of my life. She has outlined means that are within my capabilities to push through trying times with a clearer more calmer approach to struggles. I can’t thank her enough for all she continues to do for the betterment of me.

Reviewed September 2024

I never had therapy before and I was so lucky to get Dr. Bower on my first therapist match! I was dreading the thought of therapy but Dr. Bower is so kind, professional, educated, and she truly cares about her patients. I never see myself changing to a different therapist!

Reviewed August 2024

Penny will be there, trust in those words.

Reviewed June 2024

It’s a godsend to able to call someone and talk about your problems.

Reviewed May 2024

Dr. Brower is by far the most caring, attentive and supportive therapist I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I truly care about her as much as I feel she cares about me. I hope we never lose contact. I believe she is capable of helping everyone willing to help themselves. I will forever appreciate Penny

Reviewed January 2024

She is kind and respectful. Always on time. She has a great understanding of the problem I am having.

Reviewed January 2024

I have only been seeing Penny for a couple/few months now, but she was immediately receptive to my issues and even offered some semblance of guidance and understanding prior to our first session. That's what made me feel like I was in the right hands BEFORE even speaking with her in our first session. And that's the key, here. It doesn't feel like she's plainly working a script and ticking boxes. There's a level of investment there that I've never gotten out of therapy in the past. She's incredibly resourceful and is helping me figure out my personal accountability, insecurities, how to mwnwhe my anxiety and interactions with others, as well as everything in between. As with everything, managing my mental health has been a process. I am honored, confident, and thankful that Penny is helping me find my path. The future finally feels attainable. Still scary, but attainable. That's more than I could say a few months ago. Once more, thank you.

Reviewed December 2023

Dr. Brower is the best therapist I have ever had, truly!

Reviewed September 2023

Dr. Brower is excellent. Her kind and genuine intelligence and her sincere affability create a comfotable atmosphere in which to discuss and work through serious issues. I highly recommend Dr. Brower. Thank you.

Reviewed April 2023

Penny is by far the best therapist I have ever had. I will forever be thankful for the help Penny has provided. I receive links specific to the issues I deal with…very specific and very helpful. I would recommend her to anybody that might ask me about their health and well-being

Reviewed April 2023

Working with Dr. Brower has been a positive experience. Her expertise and empathy help make for meaningful weekly sessions. She’s helped me articulate my concerns and respectfully identify ongoing behaviors or issues. She’s informed, and often references literature and data that has helped shape my understanding and outlook on personality disorder and ADHD. Before starting, I was worried that therapy would be too slow or delicate, however, she quickly got a read on me and met me where I was. She takes great notes and reminds me of topics or things that I mentioned many sessions ago. Having her help has had a constructive and measurable affect on my personal life, work, and mental health.

Reviewed February 2023

Dr Penny Browser has been so helpful to me in this therapy journey. I had so much unpacking to do with trauma, neurodivergence, and life circumstances and she helped me untangle it all every step of the way. She is communicative and understanding, and would take the time outside of appointments to send me more tools to help me navigate life. I'm so thankful for her time and energy and would always recommend her services.

Reviewed April 2023

I started receiving therapy from Dr. Brower to help my ex-girlfriend and I separate and process all the emotions that came with it. Dr. Brower was able to handle our situation without judgment or preconceived notions. She handled it with grace and great care. My ex-girlfriend and I were able to separate on good terms and I believe Dr. Brower had a lot to do with this. I continue to see Dr. Brower regularly to discuss the grieving process and other events in my life and always look forward to sessions with her!

Reviewed January 2023

I can tell she respects me. She's very sharp and makes me feel very seen and considered. Shes able to imagine and piece together the situations where our experiences don't overlap. She's extremely accomodating and I don't know how else I'd be able to get such a high level of care. She's definitely the best therapist I've ever met. I like her conversational style.

Reviewed January 2023

Dr. Brower has been seeing me for months now and I feel like I finally have a safe space to talk about feelings I have had for years. She sends relevant resources and overall makes me feel very supported. I look forward to our calls.

Reviewed December 2022

She's Wonderful!

Reviewed November 2022

I had to change therapist when we relocated to a different state…I was paired with Dr Brower and I felt I did not skip a beat in my journey! She is responsive, intuitive and very helpful .

Reviewed July 2022

How was your experience with Penny?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Penny Brower offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. Penny Brower works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. Penny Brower speak?

Dr. Penny Brower speaks English.

How many years of experience does Dr. Penny Brower have?

Dr. Penny Brower has 34 years of experience.

Where is Dr. Penny Brower licensed to practice?

Dr. Penny Brower is licensed to practice in Illinois and Illinois.

Does Dr. Penny Brower accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Dr. Penny Brower does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Dr. Penny Brower offer?

Dr. Penny Brower offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

How can I communicate with Dr. Penny Brower?

Dr. Penny Brower can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. Penny Brower?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.