Serving Burleson, Mansfield, Fort Worth, & Surrounding Areas In Texas
Hi, I’m Penne.
At the heart of my work is a deep belief in the power of relationships—how they shape us, challenge us, and ultimately offer the space for healing and growth. I founded Hillside Counseling out of a desire to create a place where both clients and clinicians can be supported in meaningful, intentional ways.
While I absolutely value leading and mentoring within the practice, my true calling remains in the therapy room—working with couples and individuals as they navigate trauma, reconnect in their relationships, and begin to experience something different.
Penne’s path into counseling has been shaped by both curiosity and adventure—guided by a deep interest in relationships and the ways we grow, connect, and heal over time.
Born and raised in North Texas, she spent 20 years in Alaska, where her professional path shifted from marketing and business into psychology. During that time, she became increasingly drawn to understanding what drives human behavior—especially within relationships—and the deeper patterns that shape how we connect with ourselves and others.
She earned her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University in 2001, with an early focus on couples work—helping relationships find, restore, and create intimacy. Her clinical work broadened over time, supporting individuals and couples through a wide range of experiences, including trauma and complex life transitions.
In 2005, Penne founded Hillside Counseling at the base of the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage. In 2011, she returned to North Texas, continuing her work and expanding Hillside into a growing practice—bringing together a team of clinicians to serve more individuals, couples, and families.
At the core of her work is a passion for helping people move toward a healthier, more connected version of themselves—navigating unknown passages, healing what feels broken, and creating space for authenticity, vulnerability, and meaningful connection.
In her words:
I’ve always been drawn to understanding what makes us “tick,” especially within the context of relationships.
Over time, I’ve come to see that healing often happens in the spaces where we’re willing to be real—with ourselves and with others. Whether that’s working through trauma, rebuilding connection, or finding a new way forward, I value being able to walk alongside people in those moments.
My approach to counseling is grounded in the belief that while diagnoses can be helpful, I am ultimately working with people—and each person experiences their story in a way that is entirely their own.
I take a holistic view of the work we do together, considering the connection between mind, body, and spirit. I’m interested in understanding not just what is happening on the surface, but also the deeper patterns, experiences, and internal dynamics that may be shaping how you move through your life. At times, this may include looking back to better understand what is still influencing the present, so that you can relate to those experiences in a new way.
I draw from a variety of approaches—including Psychodynamic theory and insight, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based work, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Somatic based approaches like Compassionate Inquiry—integrating them in a way that fits you. When helpful, I also incorporate experiential approaches such as hypnotherapy and energy-based work to support deeper awareness and integration.
At the core of my work is a passion for helping people move toward a healthier, more connected version of themselves. This often means navigating unknown passages, tending to what feels broken, and creating space for vulnerability, authenticity, and deeper connection—both within yourself and in your relationships.
I am a truth seeker and I believe when we begin to understand ourselves more fully – finding the truth within – some things shift. Our awareness gives way to new possibilities for alignment and the ability to relate to ourselves and others – differently.
