(he/him)
Welcome, my name is Larry Penner and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist here in California. I've been in practice since 1994. I have a wide variety of experience with adults of all ages. Take a moment to acknowledge you've taken the first step towards bettering your mental health because, let's be honest - starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, or scary, all at the same time. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, and/or self-care. I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life. Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions concerning our work together, including keeping each other accountable.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Being in practice since 1994 has allowed me to gain experience with a diverse group of people. My greatest strength as a therapist is my ability to connect with my clients.
I enjoy working with people who are ready to make a change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective means of treatment for anxiety and depression. CBT focuses on how thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to cause us to feel a certain way.
Compassion Focused
Validation is at the core of everything I do. I enjoy creating a connection with my clients and helping them feel empowered.
Interpersonal
Relationships are key to understanding how we interact with others and get our needs met.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Mindfulness and radical acceptance are part of an overall strategy that helps us accept ourselves fully and paves the way to permanent change.
Christian Counseling
I enjoy incorporating Christian concepts into the therapy process. Faith is an important part of getting better.