Cindy Tenaglia , LCSW

Cindy Tenaglia is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Pennsylvania just outside Philadelphia with 18 years of clinical experience. She has supported individuals, couples, and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings, helping people navigate a wide range of mental health and life challenges.

Before earning her degree and training from the Bryn Mawr School of Social Work, she lived at an intentional community on 130 acres in Wisconsin, an experience that shaped her collaborative and community-oriented approach. Cindy combines warm, empathic rapport with practical coaching and therapy, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs and goals. She is a strong advocate for self-directed learning and brought that philosophy to homeschooling her son and daughter for nine years.

Her clinical work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT - an evidence-based approach that encourages psychological flexibility and values-driven living. Cindy frequently uses the ACT Matrix to help clients identify what matters most to them and to reduce unhelpful struggle while increasing meaningful action. Whether addressing stress, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, or life transitions, she focuses on effective, individualized solutions and ongoing collaboration with clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Cindy Tenaglia

Cindy draws primarily on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered and mindfulness-informed techniques to guide online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT - helps clients clarify personal values, build psychological flexibility, and take meaningful action even when uncomfortable thoughts or feelings are present; it is often used for anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, offering a supportive environment where clients set the pace and focus for change. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and practical exercises to reduce reactivity and improve coping with stress, chronic health challenges, and emotional overwhelm.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Cindy works collaboratively with each person to explore which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds so therapy stays relevant and practical.

Online sessions include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy schedules, mobility limitations, or geographic distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into daily life, and access support from licensed professionals without sacrificing the collaborative, personalized nature of therapy.