Phyllis Jeannestal, LCSW

Phyllis Jeannestal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Florida with 9 years of experience working with individuals, adolescents, and family units on issues such as trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns. As an LCSW she is trained to assess needs, provide psychotherapy, and collaborate on care plans that support emotional healing and practical coping skills.

She emphasizes inclusion and respect for each person’s right to make their own choices, helping clients build agency over their life and mental health. Her work has included supporting survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland at a community wellness center, where she helped develop treatment plans that embraced holistic healing through activities like exercise, art therapy, and support groups. She currently provides support in hospice settings, assisting families as they navigate grief and loss.

Her clinical practice is grounded in trauma-informed care, which focuses on safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment. She also uses evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy to tailor treatment to each person’s needs. Phyllis seeks to create a respectful, strengths-based space that fosters learning, self-awareness, and practical tools for overcoming challenges, and she encourages clients who are ready to invest in their well-being to consider therapy as a step toward growth.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Phyllis Jeannestal uses trauma-focused therapy to address symptoms and reactions that can follow traumatic events; this approach helps people process difficult memories and build skills to reduce distress and improve day-to-day functioning. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and is effective for conditions like anxiety, depression, and mood management. She also incorporates solution-focused therapy to help clients set specific goals and identify practical steps and strengths they can use to make progress in their lives.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process - Phyllis works together with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made. The aim is to combine proven techniques with the client’s own priorities to create an individualized path forward.

Online therapy offers flexible options for receiving care, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access licensed professionals from different locations, while still focusing on effective, goal-oriented therapeutic work.