Penny Gifford is a licensed counselor who brings 30 years of experience to individual therapy. She focuses on helping adults build new skills, regain confidence, and handle life changes. Penny emphasizes a collaborative, nonjudgmental space where people can make practical changes that matter to them.
Her work centers on everyday problems like stress, anxiety, depression, and low self esteem. She also addresses addictions, grief, anger, sleep and eating concerns, and challenges tied to relationships and family conflict. Penny lists attention to complex mood issues such as bipolar disorder and ADHD among her practice areas.
Practically, sessions aim to teach skills people can use between meetings. She uses clear, goal-oriented methods so progress can be noticed in daily life. Clients who want direct feedback and tools often find this style helpful.
Penny draws from several therapeutic approaches, including client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, and dialectical behavior ideas. She also uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies when appropriate. These approaches are mixed to match what each person needs in the moment.
Based in California, Penny holds LPC and LCPC credentials and works in English. People who are looking for steady, experience-based support to tackle self esteem, coping, or addiction concerns may find her practical, skills-focused approach useful.
How Penny Uses Evidence-Based Methods in Online Work
Penny blends several practical approaches to help people manage symptoms and build coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and helping people find their own solutions; it is useful for building self esteem and restoring confidence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches clear strategies for reducing anxiety, depression, and unhelpful habits. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, offers concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening interpersonal effectiveness.
Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the work. Penny will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying approaches, reviewing progress, and adjusting plans together as therapy unfolds.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session formats before booking since options are not specified in the profile. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce the need to travel. Many people find that using focused skill practice and homework between sessions helps progress feel practical and relevant to daily life.
Penny works with stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem issues, addictions, grief, relationship and family concerns, trauma and related challenges listed in her profile.
What is her general approach in sessions?
She uses a collaborative, nonjudgmental style that focuses on learning practical skills and setting clear goals to help people make changes between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of clinical experience working with adults on mood, behavior, and life transition issues.
What credentials does she hold and where is she located?
She holds LPC and LCPC credentials and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Select the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
