LMHC, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
Sandra Pennington, MA, LMHC Sandra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with four years of clinical experience supporting individuals and groups. Her diverse professional background — including 14 years in corrections, as well as work in healthcare and public education — has given her a unique perspective and the ability to connect with clients from all walks of life. Sandra uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with an eclectic blend of evidence-based approaches to help clients heal, grow, and thrive. She has extensive experience working with children who have experienced severe trauma, as well as adults with developmental delays and mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. Her years working in the state prison system inspired her passion for helping others navigate life’s most difficult challenges. Today, Sandra serves as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in a Florida public school, where she provides crisis support, facilitates student groups, and teaches mental health education to both students and staff.
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and for you to share what brings you to counseling. We’ll talk about your concerns, your goals for therapy, and any questions you may have about the process. I’ll ask about your background, strengths, and current challenges so we can create a plan that feels meaningful and manageable for you. This session is also about helping you feel comfortable. I’ll explain how counseling works, discuss confidentiality, and outline what you can expect moving forward. Together, we will set initial goals and decide on next steps that fit your needs and pace. You don’t need to prepare anything in advance—just bring yourself and a willingness to share what feels important.
What makes my approach effective is the balance I strike between compassion and practical tools. I create a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions, while also offering clear strategies they can use in everyday life. I draw from evidence-based methods such as cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and eclectic strategies, adapting them to fit each client’s unique needs. My clients appreciate that I am both empathetic and caring — we work together to set achievable goals and track progress over time. Another strength is my ability to help clients feel understood quickly. I listen, notice patterns, and reflect insights that often help clients see their situation in a new light. This allows us to work collaboratively toward meaningful, lasting change.
I work best with individuals who are ready to explore their emotions, gain insight into their patterns, and take steps toward meaningful change. Many of my clients are dealing with challenges such as anxiety, stress, grief, or life transitions, and are seeking tools to manage their emotions and improve their relationships. My ideal clients are curious, open-minded, and motivated to engage in the therapeutic process. They value personal growth and are willing to collaborate with me to set goals, practice new coping strategies, and develop healthier ways of thinking and relating. Whether they are seeking to heal from past experiences, navigate current difficulties, or build resilience for the future, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space to help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
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.