Dr. Penny Brower
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
About Penny
In this giant Carnival of Life, are you on the Roller Coaster full of ups and downs, on the repetitive slow-motion Carousel, on the Tilt-A-Whirl feeling unbalanced and squashed by outside forces, in the House of Horrors where every view is distorted and you can hardly find the exit, or on the Raging River where everyone else stays dry while you get drenched?
Are you here by choice and enjoying the adventure, hanging on for dear life and fearing disaster ahead, or confused about how someone was able to drag you here against your better judgement?
Though everyone’s Carnival visit is unique, if you invite me to join this part of your journey, I can help you explore the decision-making processes and life events that have led you to this place. I will assist you in building skills and finding resources to thrive beyond the dangerous curves, the jarring stops and reverses, and the nauseating spins and loops. You will be empowered to choose and create more positive, adaptive ways forward, to better enjoy the ride and have a more fulfilling adventure.
Because the best outcomes are achieved with a good client/counselor fit, I always welcome feedback regarding what has been helpful, as well as not helpful, so that methods can be adapted to achieve the best results.
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I received my doctoral degree from The University of Iowa and I have worked for over 30 years helping individuals and couples become more intentional and response-able in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
I began my career doing in-home therapy with complex, multi-problem families, and I have worked in Community Mental Health Centers and Private Practice settings. In addition, I worked for 8 years with the Air National Guard, helping to institute a new program that focused on reducing suicide risk and increasing resilience, while reducing the stigma of using mental health services to maximize personal functioning.
When describing people, my least favorite word is NORMAL. I believe that each individual is unique, and deserves to be treated in caring and respectful ways that help them grow, versus being treated like a diagnostic label that needs to be fixed. It is the difference between:
“It sounds like you may be struggling with depressed feelings. Let’s explore the conditions that seem connected to when those feelings hit really hard, compared to when they seem to lighten up.”
versus
“You are depressed. Here is what you need to do to change.”
What Penny helps with
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
Show 28 more areas
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Women's issues
How Penny works
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Gottman Method
- Internal Family Systems
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Systemic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
What clients say
- “Dr. Bower,<br /> She is a great listener an and a great communicator. Easy to talk to about issues.”
- “She is incredibly knowledgeable & friendly and is teaching me a lot about myself, I really appreciate it!”
- “I was extremely anxious about starting up therapy after a decade of not having it, and Dr Penny instantly made me feel comfortable, like I'm in charge of what we talk about, and at ease that I made the right decision to start therapy again. She answered all my questions I had about the process before I even asked. She had full transparency and respect for her new nervous client. I feel so understood by her even when I have trouble explaining myself. I do not feel judged or like I have to watch my wording at all, whatever comes out she seems to have a quick answer and understanding to. I always thought therapy was going to feel "woo woo" or like I wouldn't be able to take it seriously, but it feels like chatting with my favorite teacher I ate lunch with in high school. Even when Im silent because I don't know where to start, she asks the right questions to get things going. There's a perfect back and forth, I don't feel like I'm fighting for a chance to speak, or like I'm doing all the talking. She is so down to earth and very intelligent. I've only had 2 sessions with her and I already feel this immense weight off my chest with starting my journey. I feel confident she can help me move in the right direction when I had no idea where to start. I spoke about my last therapist and what worked for me, because she asked, and she instantly got into the methods I was already familiar with and made it easy for me to relate and open up. She is truly great at her job. I'm happy to schedule a 3rd session with her, rather than feeling like a dog someone's trying to get in the bath against my will lol. Thank you Dr Penny, and thanks to Better Help as well. This whole process has been so much of a relief to me after avoiding it for so long.”
Show all 15 reviews
- “Dr. Brower is easy to talk too and understands and cares about you!”
- “Dr. Brower was an excellent listener. She asked questions for clarification about my feelings. She provided me with clarification about my situation.”
- “Very relatable with great sense of humor”
- “There is no one better who could have been in this position to help guide me in this roller coaster of a life. When feeling like I had no one, my therapist was everything I needed to keep going and to trust/love myself. Every session for the past couple years has always been so healing. I am SO thankful I made the choice to join BetterHelp.”
- “Dr. Brower is a great listener and always finds relatable information that helps me better understand myself and my experiences. I've been seeing her for over a year now, and in that time, she has created a space where I feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered. Her thoughtful guidance and compassionate approach have made a real difference in my life. I’m so grateful for the work we’ve done together and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled and caring therapist.”
- “Dr Penny has been life changing in the two sessions I have had so far. Looking forward to continued advancement in the process and better coping skills”
- “Penny Brower. Look for her first”
- “Very happy”
- “Wonderful therapist with great strategies for neurodivergent folks. Very good listener, and has great suggestions/advice for almost anything”
- “Dr Brower is the best!”
- “Dr. Brower's compassion is her secret power. She listens- boundlessly- and gently suggests: books, articles, different perspectives, and ways of looking at things. Her help has had a significant impact on my life.”
- “Dr. Brower has been a great source of information and has outstanding listening skills to guide me through many facets of my life. She has outlined means that are within my capabilities to push through trying times with a clearer more calmer approach to struggles. I can’t thank her enough for all she continues to do for the betterment of me.”
These reviews represent a few of the most recent positive reviews from the therapist's clients on BetterHelp. Some people's experience may be different.
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