Penelope Surber, LMHC

Penelope Surber is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Florida who brings eight years of clinical experience to her practice, including time spent as an adult trauma therapist at a recovery center. She specializes in stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression, and she also addresses related concerns such as attachment and abandonment, codependency, caregiver stress, dissociation, and family-of-origin difficulties. Her work frequently supports people coping with grief, divorce and separation, domestic violence, first responder issues, and the aftermath of natural or human-caused disasters.

Her therapeutic style is warm, person-centered, and interactive, grounded in respect, empathy, and sensitivity rather than stigmatizing labels. She blends Client-Centered Therapy with cognitive and skills-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to tailor treatment to each person’s needs. Sessions focus on building insight, emotional regulation, healthier relationships, and practical coping strategies, with attention to how past experiences shape current patterns.

Penelope works collaboratively with clients to set goals and adjust the treatment plan as progress unfolds. She accepts international clients and offers multiple ways to connect for people balancing complex schedules or caregiving responsibilities. Penelope aims to empower individuals who are ready to pursue change and greater well-being through guided, compassionate care.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Penelope uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients are heard and respected; this approach focuses on the person’s own goals and strengths and can be helpful for self-esteem, relationship concerns, and recovery from past hurt. She also applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which is practical for anxiety, depression, and many stress-related issues. In addition, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, useful for managing intense emotions and improving communication.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Penelope collaborates with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress is made so the work remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy with Penelope offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These modalities make it easier to maintain consistency while balancing work, caregiving, or other commitments, and allow licensed professionals to deliver supportive, goal-oriented care across distances.