Penelope Surber , LMHC

Penelope Surber is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida who brings eight years of clinical experience to her work with adults facing trauma and related challenges. As an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - she blends practical therapeutic skills with a warm, person-centered presence to help people address depression, anxiety, addictions, self-esteem struggles, and the long-term effects of abuse and neglect. Her background includes substantial experience supporting women with childhood trauma as well as clients coping with relationship difficulties, caregiver stress, codependency, and life transitions.

Her approach is collaborative and tailored to each person. She combines cognitive-behavioral strategies, dialectical behavioral tools, and client-centered principles with elements drawn from psychodynamic and Jungian-informed ideas to create individualized treatment plans. She emphasizes respect, empathy, and a nonjudgmental stance, avoiding stigmatizing labels while working to build skills for coping, emotional regulation, and healthier relationships.

Penelope focuses on practical, compassionate care for people navigating abandonment and attachment issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and the pressures of caregiving or first-responder work. She welcomes clients who are ready to take steps toward growth and increased well-being and supports them through a thoughtful, paced process aimed at lasting change.

Blending proven approaches for effective online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive, accepting environment in which clients can explore feelings and make their own choices. This approach is useful for people working through self-esteem concerns, relationship problems, and life transitions because it centers the client’s experience and strengths.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT is structured and goal-oriented, making it a common choice for clients seeking concrete tools and measurable progress.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT can be especially helpful for those who struggle with intense emotions, self-destructive patterns, or difficulties in relationships.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Penelope works with each client to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts methods over time so therapy fits the individual rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy with Penelope offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, caregiving responsibilities, or travel while still receiving consistent support from a licensed professional.