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Dr. Penny Brower

LCPC

Dr. Penny Brower , LCPC

Therapist in Illinois

· English
Start with Penny

Online therapy - get matched and start messaging.

“Here is what you need to do to change.”

About Penny

Dr. Penny Brower invites people to imagine life as a carnival of experiences, where some days feel like an exhilarating roller coaster and others resemble a slow-moving carousel. She frames the emotional landscape with vivid metaphors - the dizzying tilt-a-whirl of feeling off-balance, the disorienting house of horrors where exits are hard to find, or the sunlit riverbanks where it seems like everyone else stays dry while you get drenched. In this exploration she helps clients examine the decisions, relationships, and life events that brought them to their current place, and she works collaboratively to build skills and identify resources that support steadier, more adaptive ways forward.

Dr. Brower emphasizes client feedback and a strong therapeutic fit, adapting methods when something is not helpful so progress can be maintained. She prefers to avoid labeling people as "normal" or reducing them to diagnostic categories; instead she seeks to understand the conditions that influence when difficult feelings intensify and when they ease. That stance guides a respectful, individualized approach to care that honors each person s unique story.

She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and holds a doctoral degree from the University of Iowa. With 34 years of professional experience, Dr. Brower has supported both individuals and couples to become more intentional and response-able in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Her early work included in-home therapy with complex, multi-problem families, and she has practiced in community mental health centers and private practice settings. For eight years she partnered with the Air National Guard to develop programs aimed at reducing suicide risk, increasing resilience, and reducing stigma around using mental health services.

Dr. Brower draws on a range of clinical approaches to match each person s needs, including acceptance and commitment strategies, cognitive behavioral techniques, attachment-based and client-centered methods, trauma-focused work, and systemic and family-informed perspectives. She offers experience addressing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy challenges, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction concerns, ADHD, self-esteem issues, and many related areas. Her practice centers on collaboration, practical skill-building, and helping people create more fulfilling, manageable lives.

Could Virtual Counseling Be a Good Fit for You?

Many people ask whether remote therapy can produce meaningful change. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or navigating life transitions, online therapy has been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person sessions.

One of the clearest advantages is flexibility - people can connect in the way that best fits their life, whether through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging. That adaptability makes it easier to keep continuity of care when schedules are busy or travel and other obligations make in-person visits difficult.

Licensed professionals who offer remote services can provide many of the same therapeutic approaches used in face-to-face work, and clients may switch therapists if they feel a different fit would be more helpful. For many individuals, online therapy is a practical and effective option for receiving consistent support from qualified therapists.

Frequently asked questions

How much experience does Dr. Penny Brower have?

Dr. Penny Brower has 34 years of clinical experience.

Is Dr. Penny Brower a licensed therapist?

Yes. Dr. Brower holds the credential LCPC, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Her license is listed as IL LCPC 180.001847.

In which languages does Dr. Penny Brower provide therapy?

Dr. Brower provides therapy in English.

Where is Dr. Penny Brower located?

Dr. Brower is located in Illinois.

How can I work with Dr. Penny Brower as my therapist?

You can work with Dr. Penny Brower through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Dr. Penny Brower work with international clients?

Dr. Penny Brower does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Dr. Penny Brower cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionADHD

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

34+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English

About

I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor practising in Illinois, with 34 years of clinical experience.

I received my doctoral degree from The University of Iowa.

I worked for 8 years with the Air National Guard.

How I Work

My clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy.

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, and when describing people, my least favorite word is NORMAL.

I can help you explore the decision-making processes and life events that have led you to this place.

Who I Help

I work with clients on stress and anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, depression, and ADHD.

I have worked for over 30 years helping individuals and couples become more intentional and response-able in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and I began my career doing in-home therapy with complex, multi-problem families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What session formats does Penny offer?

Penny offers online therapy sessions.

What languages does Penny offer therapy in?

Penny offers therapy in English.

-Background

Credential
LCPC
Licensed in
Illinois
Education
The University of Iowa
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 · Systemic Therapy
Languages
English

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