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."
Additional areas of focus: 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, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Military and Veterans 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
Clinical 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
IL LCPC 180.001847
IL LMFT 166.000187
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Penny Brower. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
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
Written on Jan 16, 2024 after therapy with Penny for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
She is kind and respectful. Always on time. She has a great understanding of the problem I am having.
Written on Jan 05, 2024 after therapy with Penny for 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues
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.
Written on Dec 06, 2023 after therapy with Penny for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
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.
Written on Apr 26, 2023 after therapy with Penny for 10 months on issues concerning depression, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
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.
Written on Apr 06, 2023 after therapy with Penny for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
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.
Written on Feb 15, 2023 after therapy with Penny for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd