Jocelyn Pettenato , LCSW

Jocelyn Pettenato is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings more than 10 years of psychotherapy experience to individuals and families across New York and Connecticut. She works with people facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, sleep disturbances, relationship strain, low self esteem, and major life transitions. Drawing on a client-centered, collaborative stance, she emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for healing and growth, attending to the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit.

Jocelyn’s training includes an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work, supplemented by extensive coursework and certifications in evidence-based therapies. Her toolbox contains Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with additional training in Emotion Focused Therapy and Internal Family Systems for couples and families. This range allows her to tailor interventions to each person’s needs and goals.

Her work is grounded in compassion and practical strategies that help clients process past experiences, strengthen present functioning, and prepare for future changes with greater resilience and clarity. Jocelyn aims to support lasting, meaningful change through thoughtful, individualized care.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and build actions that align with those values while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. ACT can be useful for anxiety, stress, and navigating life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and practicing practical skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) supports processing distressing memories tied to trauma and abuse, and can reduce the intensity of those memories over time.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Jocelyn works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences. Together they evaluate what feels most helpful and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how care is delivered. Sessions can take place via video calls or phone, and some conversations can continue through live chat or text-based messaging when that format suits the client. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity through life changes, and choose the mode of communication that feels most comfortable while working with licensed professionals and therapists.