Pennie Sheppard , BACP

Pennie Sheppard is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, low mood and the effects of trauma. She works with those struggling with addictions, grief, anger and compassion fatigue. She also supports people coping with life changes and difficulties around self-esteem and relationships.

Pennie uses everyday language and practical steps in sessions. She listens first and then helps clients try small changes they can use between appointments. Sessions can include breathing and relaxation exercises, mindfulness and talking through painful memories at a pace the client chooses.

She has 15 years of experience working with long-term illness, chronic pain and some aspects of neurodiversity such as autism and Asperger syndrome. She also addresses attachment and abandonment issues, codependency and communication problems that make daily life harder.

Pennie uses a mix of approaches to match each person's needs. This can involve Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy and elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. The emphasis is on practical ways to manage symptoms and rebuild confidence in everyday situations.

Sessions are offered online by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging so people can choose what fits their routine. She is based in the United Kingdom and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP.

How Pennie’s approaches work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and focus on values-driven action. It is useful for anxiety, stress and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting patterns of thinking that keep problems going and trying small practical experiments to change them. This approach is often used for anxiety, depression and some forms of trauma work. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people understand strong emotions and build clearer emotional connection with themselves and others; it can be helpful for relationship distress and processing grief.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss what matters to the client, try techniques and adjust the plan. Decisions are collaborative so sessions reflect the client’s goals, pace and preferences.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face discussion and visual cues. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit a short break at work. Live chat and text messaging suit people who prefer writing or want ongoing brief check-ins. These formats make it easier to attend regular sessions and try techniques in day-to-day life.