Jennie “Toli” Gintoli, LCSW, MSEd

Meet Toli

Hi, I’m Toli! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and I’m here to help you work through the things that have been keeping you feeling stuck.

Maybe there’s something from an earlier chapter of your life that keeps finding its way into the present. Maybe you’re grieving a loss and struggling to find someone who truly understands what you’re experiencing. Or maybe you’re exploring parts of your identity and looking for a safe, supportive space to figure out what that means for you.

Whatever brought you here, I’d be honored to be part of your story.

I work with adults and older adults, specializing in trauma, grief, LGBTQIA+ experiences, life transitions, and substance use recovery. My goal is to create an environment where you feel comfortable being yourself, exploring difficult experiences, and working toward meaningful changes in your life.

My Approach to Therapy

I believe therapy should feel like a genuine conversation with someone who wants to understand you, not an experience where you’re being analyzed or judged.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to feel respected and supported.

Together, we’ll explore the experiences, patterns, and beliefs that have shaped your life. Sometimes that means processing difficult memories or emotions. Other times, it means looking at how certain patterns show up in your relationships, self-image, or everyday decisions.

I draw from several therapeutic approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodrama, and strengths-based techniques.

I also believe there’s room for humor in therapy. We can do meaningful, sometimes difficult work while still finding moments to laugh, connect, and appreciate the lighter parts of life.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Individuals & Identity Exploration

Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community has been an important part of my professional journey and continues to be one of my greatest passions.

I recognize that exploring sexual orientation, gender identity, relationships, and self-acceptance can bring up complicated emotions, especially when those experiences intersect with family expectations, cultural pressures, or previous experiences of judgment.

My goal is to provide an affirming, nonjudgmental space where you can explore those experiences openly.

You don’t need to explain or defend who you are here.

I also support clients exploring body image, self-esteem, relationship dynamics, and the effects of societal expectations on their emotional well-being.

I believe everyone deserves access to care that respects their identity, experiences, and personal choices.

Working Through Trauma, Grief & Life Transitions

Some experiences stay with us long after they’ve happened.

You might notice that an old experience continues to influence how you see yourself, approach relationships, or respond to stressful situations. You may also be dealing with grief that others don’t fully understand or a major life change that’s left you questioning what comes next.

I work with clients experiencing trauma, loss, and significant transitions, helping them process difficult emotions and better understand how their past experiences may be affecting their present.

Grief, in particular, doesn’t always follow a predictable path. It can come in waves, show up unexpectedly, or remain part of your life long after others expect you to have moved forward.

I want therapy to be a place where you can talk about those experiences without feeling rushed or pressured to process them in a particular way.

We’ll work together to make sense of what you’re carrying and identify ways to move forward that feel meaningful to you.

My Background & Experience

My path into the mental health field wasn’t exactly a straight line.

I originally earned a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Higher Education Administration and spent five years working professionally in colleges and universities.

During that time, I realized that my real passion was supporting people through personal challenges, particularly individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community.

That realization led me to pursue a career in social work.

I went on to earn my Master of Social Work from Florida State University in 2018 and began building my career in social services and mental health.

That background continues to influence how I approach therapy. I value individual experiences, personal growth, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel they belong.

Today, I work with adults and older adults through individual psychotherapy, helping clients process difficult experiences, explore their identities, and build healthier relationships with themselves and others.

A Little More About Me

Outside of the therapy room, I love listening to live music, traveling, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

I value genuine connection, good conversation, and the moments that make life enjoyable.

I try to bring that same warmth, openness, and sense of humor into my work as a therapist.

If you’re considering starting therapy, you don’t need to have everything figured out. We can start wherever you are and work together to understand what you need.