Jocelyn Pettenato, LCSW

Jocelyn Pettenato is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings a decade of clinical experience to her work with individuals and families in New York and Connecticut. She has supported people through challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, relationship stress, self-esteem concerns, and major life transitions, tailoring care to each person’s circumstances.

Her approach centers on collaboration and a client-focused relationship that honors the connections between mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Jocelyn emphasizes building a trusting therapeutic alliance and partnering with clients to identify practical strategies and new perspectives that support healing, present functioning, and future resilience.

Jocelyn completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work. She has pursued extensive additional training in evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She has also trained in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to inform work with couples and families.

With a broad range of specialty areas that include stress, addictions, grief, parenting, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and intimacy-related concerns, Jocelyn adapts her methods to fit each client’s goals and needs, offering compassionate, flexible care aimed at lasting change.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care

Jocelyn integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify their values and build practical steps toward a meaningful life, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. ACT can be useful for stress, anxiety, and navigating life changes.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. CBT offers concrete skills for managing symptoms and improving daily functioning.

For clients with trauma-related symptoms, Jocelyn is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a structured approach that can reduce the intensity of distressing memories and support recovery from past events.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Jocelyn works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and then tailors a treatment plan that may combine methods over time to find what works best.

Online therapy with a licensed professional offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone appointments, live chat exchanges, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and caregiving schedules while maintaining continuity of care and access to ongoing support.