Jocelyn Pettenato, LCSW

Jocelyn Pettenato is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Connecticut with ten years of clinical experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma and abuse, addiction, sleep problems, parenting strains, anger, and challenges tied to ADHD or bipolar mood management. Jocelyn aims to create a collaborative space where people feel heard and can begin to make practical changes.

Jocelyn uses several evidence-based approaches to tailor care to each person’s needs. She blends acceptance-oriented methods with cognitive strategies and skills training to address symptoms and daily struggles. She also draws on trauma-focused techniques when past events are getting in the way of current functioning.

Her style centers on building a respectful therapeutic relationship and setting clear, achievable goals. Sessions include talking through patterns, trying small behavioral experiments, and practicing tools people can use between meetings. Jocelyn pays attention to how stress, sleep, and relationships affect mood and coping.

People who meet with her can expect straightforward, practical work alongside emotional support. She helps clients identify unhelpful habits and replace them with manageable alternatives. Progress is reviewed regularly and plans are adjusted as needed.

Jocelyn completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work. She holds the LCSW credential and maintains clinical experience working across a range of life transitions and mental health concerns in Connecticut.

How her approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. ACT focuses on clarifying values and taking small, meaningful actions that align with what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many daily stressors. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method aimed at reducing the intensity of distressing memories and their emotional impact. It can be helpful when past events continue to affect current life.

Finding the right approach is usually a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss your goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then try methods that match those needs. Progress is reviewed and techniques are adjusted together rather than following a fixed plan.

Online therapy can make fitting sessions into a busy life easier. It can reduce travel time, allow for shorter check-ins during a work break, or make it simpler to attend from different settings. Because session formats were not specified in the original biography, confirm which online or in-person options are currently offered before booking. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and EMDR techniques to remote sessions, focusing on practical tools, skills practice, and processing work that fits into everyday routines.