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LCSW

Jennifer LaPenta, LCSW

  • Experience19 years
  • LocationConnecticut
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Family
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Jennifer

Jennifer LaPenta is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 19 years of clinical experience who blends collaborative, client-centered work with structured approaches to support meaningful change.

Background and approach

She draws on Internal Family Systems alongside Cognitive Behavioral and narrative-informed techniques to help people clarify how thoughts, emotions, and life stories shape daily choices and relationships. Jennifer frames therapy as a strengths-based partnership that honors each person’s resources while gently exploring patterns that cause distress.

Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, grief, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues.

She also works with topics such as self-esteem, parenting, career stress, compassion fatigue, eating challenges, and LGBT concerns, and attends to issues that arise across the lifespan like caregiver stress, aging and geriatric matters, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and isolation or loneliness. Jennifer accepts clients in Connecticut and international clients, offering flexible session formats to fit varied needs.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Jennifer uses Internal Family Systems to help clients notice and dialogue with internal parts that hold feelings, beliefs, or protective roles, a method that can clarify internal conflicts and support emotional healing. Client-Centered Therapy is another cornerstone of her work and emphasizes listening, empathy, and collaboration so clients feel understood and empowered to set goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is employed as a practical tool for identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing skills to change emotions and behaviors.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. Jennifer works with each person to explore which methods resonate, adjust techniques as progress unfolds, and combine elements from different models to meet individual needs and goals. This cooperative stance helps clients find approaches that fit their preferences and life circumstances.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people managing busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or geographic limitations. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging make it possible to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and access support from locations that work best for the client. These options are intended to increase accessibility and allow therapy to integrate into day-to-day life more easily.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does this therapist commonly address?
Jennifer works with many concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, parenting and self-esteem challenges, as well as career strain and compassion fatigue.
What is the therapist's general approach or style?
Her style is collaborative and strengths-based, integrating Internal Family Systems with cognitive and narrative methods to explore thought patterns, internal parts, and life stories in service of change.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
She brings 19 years of experience working in individual and family therapy settings, applying a range of therapeutic approaches across diverse concerns.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
Jennifer is an LCSW licensed in Connecticut with license number CT LCSW 007125 and practices from Connecticut while accepting international clients.
Which languages are available for sessions and can international clients work with her?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and subscription handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the next steps to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

LGBTTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessSelf-loveWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Narrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

19+ years

Licensed

Connecticut

Languages

English