About Penny
Penny Sullenger is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 16 years of experience in California. She helps people who struggle with stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, and difficulties with focus such as ADHD. Penny creates a welcoming space where people can talk about what’s on their mind without judgment.
Penny’s style is direct and practical. She listens first, then helps clients set small goals they can try between sessions.
Background and approach
Conversations often focus on workable changes people can use in daily life to reduce overwhelm and improve concentration. She has experience supporting people dealing with loneliness, social anxiety, mood shifts, and communication problems. Penny pays attention to how symptoms show up in school and work routines, and she helps clients build habits that fit their daily schedules.
Penny has worked with transgender individuals and aims to respect each person’s identity and experience. Her approach is collaborative - she checks in about what is working and adjusts plans as needed. Sessions usually involve talking through immediate concerns, practicing new ways of handling stress or anger, and planning simple steps to improve focus and confidence.
Penny frames therapy as a process of learning and trying different strategies until something fits.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Two common evidence-based techniques she uses are structured problem-solving and skills coaching. Structured problem-solving breaks big problems into small steps and tests what helps, which can reduce overwhelm and improve focus. Skills coaching teaches specific tools for managing anger, reducing anxiety, and improving attention in daily routines.Another helpful approach is behavioral activation, which focuses on adding small, doable activities that boost mood and energy. This method often helps when depression or low motivation make it hard to get started on tasks or return to routines.
Penny works collaboratively to find approaches that fit each person. She will review what’s working, adjust plans, and try different tools until a good fit emerges. Clients help set goals and decide which strategies to test between sessions.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and skills practice, phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins, and messaging or live chat work well for brief updates and coaching between appointments. These options make it easier to fit therapy into school, work, and busy family schedules.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Anger management
- Self esteem
Also listed
- Experience
- 16 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English
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