Peter Jastermsky, LCSW

Peter Jastermsky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of practice. He holds active LCSW licenses in California and Pennsylvania and has worked in settings from employee assistance programs to outpatient mental health and substance use services.

He uses a supportive, conversational style and begins by meeting people where they are. Sessions focus on clear choices, practical steps, and setting meaningful goals. He frames his role as a guide who helps clients weigh the consequences of changing versus staying the same.

Peter believes people are looking to move beyond problems, not only to understand them. He helps identify one actionable step that can start forward motion when life feels stuck. He centers the client's own knowledge about their life while offering structure and direction.

Across his career he has also supervised and trained other therapists. That experience informs a straightforward, organized approach to sessions and goal-setting. He draws on several approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to shape practical plans.

Typical concerns Peter addresses include stress, anxiety, grief, depression, career and workplace issues, relationship and intimacy-related struggles, addictions, parenting pressure, and coping with life changes. He also focuses on caregiver stress, aging and geriatric concerns, and issues around guilt, shame, and life purpose.

Sessions are offered in English for adults age 21 and up who live in California and Pennsylvania. He works with people to set realistic steps and follow-through that fit daily life.

Practical therapy methods adapted for online work

Peter commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and testing small changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and understanding the person's perspective to build goals that feel right for them.

He views choosing an approach as a collaborative process. The therapist will help identify what feels most useful based on your goals, current challenges, and preferences, and may combine methods to create a workable plan together.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for conversations that benefit from face-to-face interaction, while phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging let people keep momentum between sessions, share brief updates, or fit communication around a busy schedule. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel commitments while keeping a steady path toward goals.