Michelle Pennella, LMHC

Michelle Pennella is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York. She focuses on helping people who face depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and other mood or personality-related concerns. Her work emphasizes helping clients find purpose, build self-compassion, and develop clearer coping strategies for day-to-day life.

Michelle keeps sessions straightforward and practical. She offers a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through painful experiences and learn new ways to manage difficult feelings. The goal is to help clients gain insight and build habits that reduce overwhelm and improve emotional balance.

Her background blends several evidence-informed approaches. Michelle draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to notice and change unhelpful thinking patterns. She uses acceptance and commitment ideas to clarify values and encourage action aligned with what matters most.

Mindfulness and dialectical behavior strategies also appear in her work when calming the nervous system or improving emotional regulation is needed. She adapts these methods to each person rather than following a fixed script.

Michelle has four years of clinical experience and works with adults at different life stages, including young adults and people in their 30s–50s navigating career shifts, relationship pressures, parenting stress, grief, and midlife transitions. She also lists aging and geriatric issues among her focus areas and can help explore later-life concerns alongside other emotional challenges.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying what matters to you and taking actions that match those values even when feelings are uncomfortable. It can help with anxiety, depression, and questions about life purpose. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and teaches practical tools to shift unhelpful patterns. It is useful for anxiety, mood issues, and intrusive thoughts.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. Michelle will collaborate with each person to choose or adapt methods based on their goals, symptoms, and daily life. That means checking in about what helps and adjusting techniques over time rather than sticking to one fixed plan.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce commuting time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also make practicing skills between sessions more practical by using tools and exercises in your everyday environment. Licensed professionals can use these approaches effectively across remote and in-person settings, tailoring the pace and focus to each person's needs.