- Attachment based
- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
About Penelope
Penelope "Penny" McBride is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York with 26 years of experience. She focuses on problems like stress, anxiety, addiction, anger, relationship strains, grief, and major life changes. Penny works with people who want clearer communication and less reactivity in daily life.
She uses straightforward conversation and practical strategies rather than jargon. Sessions look at patterns that keep old problems active, such as family of origin issues, codependency, or control struggles. Penny helps people name those patterns and try different ways of responding when emotions run high.
Her approach draws on attachment-based ideas to map how early relationships shape current reactions. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thoughts and dialectical behavior therapy skills to build emotion regulation. The Gottman Method informs how she addresses relationship conflicts and communication problems.
Penny often supports people dealing with trauma, addiction, and mood concerns like depression and bipolar disorder. She also helps with parenting stress, caregiver strain, body image, and eating-related issues. Her work includes practical steps for coping with grief, forgiveness, guilt, and shame.
When someone brings anger or resentment into a session, she concentrates on behaviors and skills that reduce escalation. The emphasis is on learning small, repeatable practices - breathing strategies, boundary-setting language, and clearer requests - that make daily interactions less tense.
How her methods translate to online sessions
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns influence current reactions. It helps when anger or mistrust repeats in close relationships by naming old expectations and testing new responses. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts drive feelings and behaviors. It teaches simple experiments and thought-challenging techniques that reduce instant reactivity. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds concrete emotion regulation and distress-tolerance skills that are useful when someone feels overwhelmed.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Penny will collaborate with each person to decide which methods to emphasize based on specific goals and problems. That means trying a skill, checking how it fits, and adjusting the plan together rather than assuming one method from the start.
Confirm the available session formats before you book, as the biography does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to schedule regular check-ins, fit workday breaks, and use short focused meetings for skill practice. They also allow straightforward sharing of worksheets, practice plans, and guided breathing or grounding exercises that support reducing anger and improving communication.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Penny works with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, relationship difficulties, grief, parenting strain, and mood concerns such as depression and bipolar disorder.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a client-centered, practical style with clear skills and conversation. Expect a mix of discussion and exercises to change patterns and reactions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 26 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues.
What credential and location should I know?
She is an LCSW licensed in New York and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How are fees handled?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.