- Person centered
- Strengths focused
- Supportive style
About Joanne
Joanne (Jody) Girou offers calm, steady support for people facing grief, stress, anxiety, and life changes. She aims to make sessions feel relaxed and approachable so clients can talk without feeling judged. Jody uses a strengths-based, person-centered style that focuses on what someone already does well. She holds an MSW and is a Licensed Master Social Worker, LMSW, in Michigan.
Jody has worked in social work for 24 years with both children and adults. That experience includes helping people with ADHD, autism, parenting struggles, relationship problems, trauma, depression, and caregiver stress. She draws on several therapy methods to match each person’s needs rather than relying on a single technique.
In sessions she keeps the tone supportive and nonjudgmental. Jody helps people identify practical steps and small changes that build toward larger goals. She also uses mindfulness and skill-based approaches when those tools fit the situation.
Her work includes supporting people through end-of-life and hospice related concerns as part of broader grief and caregiving challenges. Conversations can cover coping strategies, emotional processing, and ways to manage daily stress during difficult seasons.
People who prefer a relaxed, steady clinician who blends practical tools with compassionate listening may find her style useful. She invites prospective clients to start by describing their immediate needs so she can recommend next steps.
Jody has worked in social work for 24 years with both children and adults. That experience includes helping people with ADHD, autism, parenting struggles, relationship problems, trauma, depression, and caregiver stress. She draws on several therapy methods to match each person’s needs rather than relying on a single technique.
In sessions she keeps the tone supportive and nonjudgmental. Jody helps people identify practical steps and small changes that build toward larger goals. She also uses mindfulness and skill-based approaches when those tools fit the situation.
Her work includes supporting people through end-of-life and hospice related concerns as part of broader grief and caregiving challenges. Conversations can cover coping strategies, emotional processing, and ways to manage daily stress during difficult seasons.
People who prefer a relaxed, steady clinician who blends practical tools with compassionate listening may find her style useful. She invites prospective clients to start by describing their immediate needs so she can recommend next steps.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Trauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
24+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English
How Jody’s approaches translate to online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that line up with their values. It can be useful for grief, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, focuses on changing unhelpful thinking patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety and low mood. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication when feelings run high.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Jody will talk with each person about goals and preferences and then use elements from these approaches that fit best. That collaborative step helps shape a plan that feels doable and relevant to everyday life.
Session formats were not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people use mindfulness exercises, worksheets, and skills practice during the same week they learn them in session.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, ADHD, trauma, depression, caregiver strain, and related life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is supportive, relaxed, and non-judgmental. She focuses on clients' strengths and practical steps rather than a single method.
What is her professional background?
She has 24 years of experience in social work working with children and adults across a range of concerns.
Which credential and region apply to her practice?
She is an LMSW, Licensed Master Social Worker, practicing in Michigan.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How does payment or cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.