LMHC, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
Sandra Pennington, MA, LMHC Sandra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 4 years’ experience working with individuals and groups. She has a diverse background in corrections, healthcare, and public education, which allows her to meet a client’s needs. Sandra uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, as well as an eclectic blend of therapies, to assist clients in healing and thriving. She has experience working with children struggling with severe traumatic experiences. And with mentally delayed adults struggling with various mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. Sandra’s role in corrections and healthcare took her into the state’s prison system for 14 years. It was this experience that guided her into a career of helping people from all walks of life. Sandra works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at a public school in Florida, serving the students and staff, responding daily to crisis situations, conducting student groups, and teaching mental health classes.
During the first session we will get to know each other. You and I will discuss what brings to see me so we can prepare a Treatment Plan that will help you heal. It will give you the opportunity to let me know your expectations from therapy. In therapy, it important for the client to be open and honest so that we can work together to come up with therapeutic techniques for healing. I will treat you with respect and ask the same from you.
My best therapeutic approach is to listen to the client to find out what their needs are and try to meet them where them there. Listening sometimes involves tones and gestures. This can tell me how to approach clients since each one is different. I am empathetic and flexible. Life has taught me that everyone has a battle they are fighting. Sometimes, having a buddy can make the battle less traumatic or overwhelming. Another thing that stands out about me is that I am not in denial about being human, I make mistakes. If a therapy is not working, we can try a new one. If you do not like something I say, tell me. We can talk about it. Most importantly, I am an older person that has survived a lot of experiences. This has made me grateful and stronger.
I became a counselor to help people that are struggling with mental pain. The stigma with this field is astounding. If we have a broken bone or illness we usually do not hesitate to seek professional help. Why is the mind any different? My ideal client is someone that wants to find a way to heal and thrive. The pain may never go away but it will not define them or their future.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy that utilizes goals and objectives to guide the client through the healing process. It helps individuals identify, question, and change thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs that contribute to their emotional and behavioral regulation. It is effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and many other mental health disorders.
Eclectic therapy meets the client where they are at by drawing from multiple therapy approaches. It can be viewed as a combination of different therapy approaches custom-made for each client to help them meet their goals and expectations.