About Joanne

Joanne (Jody) Girou is a licensed social worker in Michigan with 24 years of experience. She aims to make sessions calm and approachable so people feel comfortable talking about hard things. Jody often works with adults who are managing stress, anxiety, ADHD, grief, depression, relationship concerns, and parenting strain.

Her style is relaxed and nonjudgmental. She centers conversation on each person’s strengths and goals. Jody blends practical strategies with supportive listening so people leave with steps they can try between sessions.

Background and approach

Jody uses a mix of approaches, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques. She adapts tools to fit each person rather than using a single formula. That means sessions may include skill practice, goal-setting, and talking through patterns that get in the way of daily life.

She has worked across settings with a wide range of needs, including ADHD, autism, trauma and abuse, and caregiving stress. This background informs how she breaks down problems into manageable pieces and offers realistic coping options. People who prefer a steady, strength-based partner often find her practical.

Jody aims to help clients build small, sustainable changes. She encourages clear next steps so progress feels measurable and within reach.

Therapeutic tools for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and decisions that feel stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches steps to change unhelpful patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on building emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills, which can help when intense emotions and relationship conflicts are a concern.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick methods that match their goals, needs, and what they prefer in sessions. That might mean combining ACT with mindfulness practice, or using CBT exercises alongside solution-focused goal-setting.

Online therapy offers flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues help. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, skill reminders, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options help people keep therapy consistent around busy schedules and life demands.

Questions people ask

What issues does she address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, ADHD, depression, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, plus trauma and caregiver strain.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is supportive, relaxed, and nonjudgmental, focusing on strengths and practical steps to manage daily problems.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 24 years of experience working in social work settings with adults and children.
What credentials and region apply?
She holds an LMSW, licensed in Michigan, and practices from that state.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
24 years
Licensed
Michigan
Languages
English

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