Cynthia Penwell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor (LCSW-S), in private practice at Life-Forward Counseling, and a community educator and consultant. In per private practice, she primarily works with adults with trauma, providing an integrated variety of theoretical approaches, including EMDR. She enjoys the complexity of family work, and the time she spends with couples, both those presenting in more traditional ways and those identifying as LGBTQAI+. As a clinical supervisor, Professor Penwell has facilitated groups and individual supervisees for the past seven years, and has also provided group supervision and consultation for a variety of organizations. Her style is direct, integrative, and organized, but also allows for humor and encouragement about one’s use of self.
Starting her career as a community social worker, she also has broad mezzo and nonprofit experience. As the former Executive Director and owner of a social service agency providing mentors, traditional therapy and recreation therapy, parent coaching, and summer and after-school services to at risk and disabled youth in the community, she has embodied the “mezzo is micro” perspective in the field. She is cross trained in multiple disciplines such as domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, mental health, health care, rural social work, child protective services reintegration project, and education. In addition, she is former Executive Board Member of the Community Resource and Collaboration Group and Executive Board Member of PLAN of Central Texas.
She currently keeps her roots in community work as a Faculty Advisor and volunteer with Socks For the Soles, a student run organization addressing housing insecurity and health co-morbidities. In addition, she enjoys providing continuing education and presentations to other professionals about trauma, attachment, child development, tolerance, LGBTQAI+ issues, and working with families. However, her favorite professional role is as a mentor, community-maker, and professor for the students at the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work, where she has been teaching for the past twelve years. She is the proud recipient of the 2023 Teaching Award, and is also an MSSW alumni! Hook ‘em!