Tamieka Pennycooke
I’m a compassionate, trauma-informed Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes therapy should be a space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to be yourself. My approach is warm, supportive, and strengths-based, with a focus on helping you understand your experiences while developing practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. I enjoy working with adults who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship or family challenges, life transitions, trauma, or difficulties adjusting to major changes. I have a particular passion for supporting women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including those navigating perinatal mood and anxiety concerns, identity changes, and the emotional demands of motherhood. My life and professional experiences have taught me the importance of meeting people where they are and recognizing that everyone’s journey is different. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you—not judge you or tell you who you should be. Together, we can explore what is getting in the way of the life and relationships you want while building on the strengths you already have.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin creating a comfortable, trusting therapeutic relationship. You do not need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out before we meet. I will guide the conversation and give you space to share what brought you to therapy, what you are currently experiencing, and what you hope to gain from the process. We will begin exploring your goals, strengths, and the experiences that may be contributing to what you are experiencing today. My approach is trauma-informed, so I will not pressure you to share anything before you feel ready. Most importantly, I want you to leave your first session feeling heard, respected, and understood. Therapy is a collaborative process, and my role is not to fix your problems or tell you what decisions to make. Instead, I will help you gain clarity, explore your options, and identify what feels right for you as we work together toward your goals.
Strengths
My approach to therapy is grounded in trauma-informed care, empathy, and empowerment. I believe that every person’s experiences, relationships, culture, and life circumstances shape how they navigate the world, and I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore those experiences without judgment. I will not try to fix your problems or tell you what you should do. Instead, I will walk alongside you, listen with compassion, ask thoughtful questions, and help you explore your thoughts, feelings, strengths, and options. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to support you in developing the insight and confidence to make decisions about what is best for you. My goal is to help you feel heard, respected, and empowered while recognizing the strengths and resilience you already possess. Together, we can work toward healing, greater self-awareness, and meaningful change at a pace that feels safe and appropriate for you.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves, their emotions, and the experiences that have shaped them. I enjoy working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship or family challenges, major life transitions, or the emotional changes that can come with pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself, or unsure about what steps to take next. You may also simply feel that something needs to change and want support in figuring out what that looks like. I work especially well with clients who are open to self-reflection and willing to explore their thoughts, feelings, patterns, and relationships. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. My goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental, trauma-informed space where we can work together to help you gain clarity, recognize your strengths, and feel empowered to make decisions that align with the life you want.
Origin story
My decision to become a therapist grew from my belief that people deserve to feel heard, understood, and supported—especially during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Throughout my personal and professional experiences, I have seen how life experiences, relationships, trauma, and major transitions can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. I became passionate about creating a space where people can be honest about what they are experiencing without fear of judgment. I believe therapy can provide an opportunity to slow down, gain clarity, heal from past experiences, and reconnect with the strengths that may have been overlooked along the way. My work has also deepened my passion for supporting women and families, particularly during pregnancy, postpartum, and other significant life transitions. Becoming a therapist has allowed me to combine my passion for helping others with my belief in self-determination, resilience, and the importance of meeting people where they are.
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work will be collaborative and centered around your goals, needs, and readiness for change. We will explore the experiences, thoughts, emotions, relationships, and patterns that may be impacting you while identifying strengths and developing tools that support your overall well-being. Progress may look different for everyone. You may notice that you understand yourself better, respond to situations differently, communicate more effectively, set healthier boundaries, feel more confident in your decisions, or recover more quickly when life becomes difficult. Sometimes progress is simply recognizing that you have more choices than you once believed. My goal is for you to eventually feel more equipped to navigate life with greater self-awareness, confidence, and trust in yourself.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify patterns that may contribute to anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or feeling stuck and explore more balanced ways of responding. My approach is collaborative and trauma-informed. Rather than telling you how to think or what to do, I help you explore your experiences, develop practical coping skills, and gain greater awareness and confidence in making choices that align with your goals.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense C017339