Dr. Penny Brower, LCPC - Therapist in Illinois

About Penny

Dr. Penny Brower uses practical, evidence-informed therapies to help families and individuals navigate stress and relationship struggles. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 34 years of experience.

Her approach focuses on clear steps people can try between sessions and on understanding the patterns that keep problems stuck. Parents and partners often find this direct, collaborative style helpful when coping feels overwhelming. She works with common concerns such as anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, and anger.

Background and approach

Relationship issues and family dynamics are a frequent focus, including communication problems, infidelity, divorce or separation, and family of origin issues. She also addresses attachment difficulties, codependency, and intimacy-related challenges. Dr.

Brower trained at The University of Iowa where she earned her doctoral degree and has practiced in community mental health, independent practice, and in-home settings. She also spent eight years working with the Air National Guard on programs aimed at reducing suicide risk and strengthening resilience. In sessions she encourages concrete experiments and honest feedback about what helps.

She avoids quick labels and instead looks at when problems worsen and when they improve. This helps people make choices that fit their life and values. Her clinical toolbox includes acceptance and commitment strategies, cognitive behavioral techniques, attachment-focused work, client-centered listening, and couple-focused methods from the Gottman approach.

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for scheduling flexibility.

Therapeutic methods that translate well to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people name what matters, notice painful thoughts without getting stuck, and take steps that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where avoidance keeps problems alive. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and provides concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping with stress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns influence current ties and communication; it can help with intimacy issues, family problems, and rebuilding trust.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and everyday life. Sessions include checking in on what helps and adjusting methods when something isn’t working.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy families and people with limited time. These options let sessions fit different schedules, allow follow-up check-ins between meetings, and make it easier to continue care during life changes or relocation.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Frequently asked questions

What types of concerns does she address?

She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, anger, relationship and family problems, and related issues such as attachment, codependency, and communication difficulties.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is practical and collaborative, using clear steps and experiments clients can try between sessions while listening closely to what works for each person.

What is her experience background?

She has 34 years of clinical work, including in-home family therapy, community mental health centers, independent practice, and program work with the Air National Guard focused on resilience and suicide risk reduction.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, IL LCPC 180.001847, and practices in Illinois.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different scheduling needs.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a time based on therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Self esteem

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 34 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English

Next step

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