Pennie Sheppard, BACP

Pennie Sheppard is a United Kingdom based therapist with 15 years of experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, grief, anger and depression. She works with clients facing life transitions and chronic challenges, including long-term illness such as MS and fibromyalgia, learning differences and neurodevelopmental conditions on the autism spectrum, as well as difficulties involving attachment, abandonment, codependency and dissociation.

Pennie blends evidence-informed talking therapies with an interest in the body-mind connection, practising therapeutic body psychotherapy alongside approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT). She tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person, using mindfulness, breathing and relaxation techniques to support self-awareness and practical coping skills. Pennie holds BACP accreditation - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which reflects her commitment to professional standards.

Clients can work with Pennie through a range of online options that allow exploration at a comfortable pace. She aims to create a respectful, sensitive and compassionate environment and collaborates with clients to set goals, pace and strategies that fit their unique situation, supporting long-term healing and day-to-day coping.

Integrative Approaches for Online Therapeutic Support

Pennie commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed and then take valued action - useful for anxiety, avoidance and coping with chronic health issues. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical approach that identifies unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and teaches strategies to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

In addition, Pennie values client-centered practice, offering a compassionate, non-directive stance that prioritises the person’s experience and supports growth in self-esteem, relationships and emotional processing. These methods are used by registered professionals and therapists to tailor care to each individual.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Pennie collaborates with clients to choose and adapt methods according to their goals, preferences and what feels manageable, reviewing progress together and adjusting the plan as needed. Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and options such as live chat or text messaging allow for shorter or more frequent contact. This range of formats makes it easier to fit therapy into daily life and to access consistent support from a therapist regardless of location.