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Michelle Pennella, LMHC

Practical, compassionate support for life transitions
  • Stress and anxiety support
  • Trauma and grief care
  • Skills for resilience

About Michelle Pennella

Michelle Pennella is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York who supports people navigating intense emotions and complicated life circumstances. Her work often focuses on concerns such as stress and anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar and other mood disorders, and personality-related patterns that can affect relationships and daily functioning.

She offers a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients can slow down, explore what is happening internally, and begin to make sense of painful experiences, intrusive thoughts, or feelings of isolation and loneliness. Michelle emphasizes strengthening self-respect and self-love, reconnecting with personal purpose, and building resilience so clients can respond to challenges with greater steadiness and clarity.

Michelle draws from evidence-based therapy approaches and tailors treatment to each person’s needs, goals, and stage of life. She works with young adults and with individuals through their 50s, including those facing life transitions, relationship challenges, career stress, dating and independence concerns, parenting stress, burnout, and midlife changes. Her style is collaborative and practical, with a focus on developing insight, healthier coping strategies, and meaningful steps toward emotional well-being and personal empowerment.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Additional Focus Areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic Approach

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Michelle Pennella have?

Michelle Pennella has 4 years of experience providing therapy and supporting clients through a range of emotional and life challenges.

Is Michelle Pennella a licensed therapist?

Yes. Michelle Pennella is licensed as an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) in New York. Her license is NY LMHC 015637.

In which languages does Michelle Pennella provide therapy?

Michelle Pennella provides therapy in English.

Where is Michelle Pennella located?

Michelle Pennella is located in New York.

How can I work with Michelle Pennella as my therapist?

You can work with Michelle Pennella through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, depending on what fits your needs and scheduling.

Does Michelle Pennella work with international clients?

No. Michelle Pennella does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Michelle Pennella cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapy Approaches That Translate Well to Online Sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while taking practical steps toward what matters most. It can be especially useful when anxiety, grief, or mood shifts pull someone away from their values and routines.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying unhelpful patterns and practicing new ways of responding, clients can build tools for managing stress, depression, and persistent worry in day-to-day life.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship effectiveness. It can support people who feel overwhelmed, impulsive, or caught in intense interpersonal cycles, and it offers structured strategies that can be practiced between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Michelle Pennella works collaboratively with clients to identify goals, preferences, and what is most pressing right now, then adjusts the pace and methods to fit the person and their stage of life.

Online therapy can make it easier to stay consistent with care while balancing work, family, or life transitions. Sessions can take place through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility in how clients connect and practice skills in real time.

Ready to start therapy with Michelle Pennella?

Take the first step toward a better you.