Steven Penn, LCSW

Steven Penn is a licensed clinical social worker in New York with nine years of experience. He helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or big life changes. He works with concerns around relationships and communication as well as issues like isolation, jealousy, and midlife transitions.

He uses a mix of approaches to match what each person needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often part of his work to help identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. He also draws on client-centered methods that prioritize the person's own goals and pace.

Sessions are conversational and focused on practical steps. Steven aims to make therapy straightforward and respectful, listening for patterns that keep problems going and testing small changes people can try between meetings. He supports people through relationship challenges, grief and loss, and struggles with control or impulsivity.

Steven describes his practice as LGBT+ affirmative and grounded in sensitivity and compassion. He will tailor the plan to the individual's needs and values rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. That means collaborative goal-setting and checking in about what’s working.

People who choose him can expect clear, task-oriented sessions alongside space to talk through feelings. He emphasizes realistic strategies you can use right away, and he helps track progress over time.

How these approaches work online

Steven often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thought patterns that fuel anxiety or low mood and then try practical experiments to change those patterns. CBT sessions focus on clear steps you can practice between meetings and can help with stress, depression, and relationship worries.

He also uses Client-Centered Therapy to keep the work grounded in each person's values and goals. That approach emphasizes listening, building trust, and letting the client guide the pace while the therapist reflects and supports change.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. He will work collaboratively to decide which methods fit your needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust the plan as you go. Clients and therapist review progress together and pick techniques that feel useful in real life.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls let you see facial cues and hold a fuller conversation, while phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth or cameras are limited. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to check in between sessions or fit brief check-ins into a busy day. These options give flexibility to match therapy to your schedule and communication style.