Elnora Johnson-Penn, MS, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I identify as an African American cis-het woman. I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. My primary language is English.

General Bio/Background & Approach:

Greetings! My name is Elnora Johnson-Penn, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. Beyond my professional role, I am also a wife and mother. I understand the complexity of finding a sustainable rhythm in life's various roles and deeply value my unique experience as a member of the BIPOC community. This aspect of my identity informs my service to others, offering clients the same freedom to embrace their identities.

In my therapeutic practice, I walk with those in pain towards healing and regeneration. My experience spans all levels of care in the mental health continuum, from outpatient services to residential treatment and crisis de-escalation. I engage with clients through individual, family, group, and couples’ therapy. My background also includes work with the Georgia Division of Family and Children’s Services, bringing a broad perspective to my therapeutic space.

While I have extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and have been part of comprehensive DBT teams, I am currently not practicing comprehensive DBT. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and adopt an integrative, motivational, and warm approach in therapy, aiming to help clients identify actionable steps towards a more fulfilling life.

My clientele ranges from children as young as 6 years old to adults in various life stages. I am dedicated to supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, life transitions, social signaling deficits, identity development challenges, attachment deficits, and relational challenges. My goal is to create a non-judgmental, warm, transparent space filled with grace and a willingness to meet clients where they are in their journey. I listen with intentional empathy, striving for a balance of healthy challenge and validation, facilitating deeper self-connection and insight.

"It is never too late to be who you might have been." — George Eliot

Theoretical & Clinical Orientation:

I believe in meeting clients where they are by crafting dynamic treatment plans that incorporate a variety of psychotherapeutic methods and orientations. Flexibility allows me to focus on strengths, relationships, and fostering a growth mindset. While acknowledging the impact of past experiences on developmental trajectories, I also emphasize current agency, helping clients to understand their emotions, thoughts, urges, and behaviors in the present context.

My work involves empowering clients to explore their sense of self and identify contextual factors affecting their current functioning. In our partnership, clients can expect to learn how to confront rather than avoid emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns, as well as existential and interpersonal challenges.

In addition to the above, I have experience with prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based strategies, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, interpersonal strategies, attachment-based work, solution-focused interventions, systemic interventions, and strengths-based approaches.