We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mandi Penney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mandi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I wasn’t always aware of my purpose. As a child, I was quiet, often observing from the edges rather than stepping forward. I felt things deeply—the emotions of those around me, the unspoken struggles, the weight of unseen burdens—but I didn’t always know what to do with it. I wasn’t the one to boldly reach out, but I noticed. I saw. I felt. And even then, God was planting the seeds of my calling deep within me.
Encouragement wasn’t something I naturally expressed outwardly at first, but it was something I carried inside. I would write notes instead of speaking up, offer small gestures of kindness, or pray for others when I didn’t yet have the courage to tell them they were not alone. It wasn’t until later in life, through my own experiences of growth, struggle, and surrender, that I began to understand why God had wired me this way.
Over time, God showed me that encouragement doesn’t always have to be loud—sometimes, it’s found in quiet presence, in a listening ear, in simply walking beside someone in their hardest moments. He made it clear that my purpose wasn’t just about speaking life but about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and deeply known. He was preparing me all along, shaping me to be someone who could hold hope for others when they couldn’t hold it for themselves.
That’s why I do what I do today. It’s not just a profession or a role—it’s a calling. It’s the reason I pour into others, why I create spaces where people feel valued and supported, and why I believe so deeply in the power of encouragement and faith-filled support. Because from the very beginning, even in my quietest moments, God was weaving this purpose into me. And every day, I get to step into what He has always been preparing me for.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My title is Licensed Professional Counselor, but at my core, I am an encourager, a listener, and a guide—someone who creates space for others to be seen, heard, and supported in their journey toward healing. Through faith-based counseling, I help them navigate life’s challenges, rediscover their purpose, and grow into the fullness of who God created them to be.
Making the decision to begin counseling can be scary. My main goal is to put you at at ease in that first session. Taking time to get to know you and develop a relationship sets the foundation for growth and healing. From there, partnered with God, we listen, learn and grow together. Oh and laugh…I love to laugh whenever possible with my clients. I have found there is such healing in joy and laughter!
For me, what makes this work so special is the transformative power of hope and restoration. There is something deeply sacred about walking alongside someone as they move from a place of struggle to one of strength, from uncertainty to clarity, from pain to healing. It’s not about fixing or forcing, but rather about helping people uncover the resilience, faith, and purpose that has been inside them all along.
As a group practice owner I have the same perspective with my clinicians. I have found that many of them come from work environments that did not allow them to flourish as unique professionals (and as individuals). Abundant Living Counseling of Rome has given me the opportunity to offer a safe space for our clinicians to “find out who they are” as they grow in their clinical skills and identity. It brings me such joy to see them get excited as their clients hit a breakthrough or a marriage is restored or they have new insights into a way to help a client heal.
We are always looking for ways to better serve our community and expand our impact! Right now, we’re especially excited to offer:
Christian Life Coaching – Helping individuals gain clarity, confidence, and direction in their spiritual and personal growth.
SYMBIS Premarital Counseling – Giving engaged couples the tools to build a strong foundation before they say “I do.”
And we are currently exploring ways to help you grow through faith-based workshops designed to support personal growth, relationships, and emotional wellness.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the foundation of my journey has been built on three key qualities that shaped me into the counselor I am today. These aren’t just skills I developed—they are ways God uniquely wired me and deepened through experience, faith, and learning.
1. Empathy, Attunement, and a Heart for Helping Others Heal
Long before I had words for it, I felt deeply connected to the emotions and experiences of others. Empathy has always been a part of me—the ability to sit with someone in their struggle, to truly see and hear them, and to walk alongside them without rushing the process. Over time, I learned that attunement is just as important as empathy. It’s the ability to not just feel with someone, but to be present with them in a way that fosters safety, trust, and healing.
For those early in their journey: Develop your listening skills more than your speaking skills. True healing doesn’t happen through fixing—it happens through being fully present, noticing the unspoken, and creating a space where people feel truly understood. Spend time in prayer, asking God to sharpen your sensitivity to the needs of others and to help you love people well, just as He does.
2. A Willingness to Grow and Do the Inner Work First
I quickly realized that I could only guide others as far as I was willing to go myself. Healing, growth, and transformation aren’t just things I teach—they are things I continually walk through in my own life. There’s a responsibility in this kind of work to remain teachable, open, and willing to do the inner work first.
For those early in their journey: Invest in your own healing. Find mentors, seek wise counsel, and never stop learning. Surround yourself with people who will speak truth and challenge you to grow spiritually, emotionally, and professionally. The best way to help others navigate their pain is to first do the work of healing in your own life.
3. Trusting God’s Timing and Purpose Over My Own Plans
Early on, I often felt pressure to have it all figured out—to map out the perfect path and execute it flawlessly. But what I’ve learned is that God’s timing is always better than mine, and His purpose unfolds in ways we never could have planned ourselves. Some of the most transformational moments in my journey came when I let go of control, leaned into faith, and trusted that God was leading me exactly where I needed to be.
For those early in their journey: You don’t have to have everything figured out. Be faithful in the season you’re in. God will open doors at the right time, and He will equip you for the work He’s calling you to. Stay rooted in prayer, be open to learning, and trust that He is preparing you for more than you can even imagine.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Part of my commitment as a therapist (and a person in general) is authenticity. It it is in this spirit that I share the following: over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been in my willingness to take action even when I’m afraid. In both my business and personal life, I’ve intentionally stepped outside my comfort zone, making decisions that required faith, boldness, and trust in God’s guidance. Instead of waiting for fear to subside, I’ve learned to move forward despite it, whether that’s taking risks in my private practice, embracing new opportunities, or deepening my spiritual walk.
This shift has strengthened my confidence as a business owner, a counselor, and a person of faith. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from perfect conditions—it comes from showing up, trusting God, and believing that I am equipped for what’s ahead…because He has equipped me. In my office there is a sign that reads: LIVE BY GRACE, NOT PERFECTION. That mindset has allowed me to make bolder business decisions, support my clients with greater authenticity, and lean into God’s plans for my life, even when the next step isn’t crystal clear.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abundantlivingrome.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlivingrome/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbundantLivingRome
Image Credits
n/a Photos taken by me
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
