About Joanne
Joanne (Jody) Girou is a licensed master social worker who brings 24 years of experience to her practice in Michigan. She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space so people can talk about worries like anxiety, stress, depression, and relationship concerns. Jody aims to make the first steps easier and meets people where they are.
Jody uses practical methods that fit each person’s needs. She draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on small, useful changes and building on the strengths a person already has. Her caseload has included people dealing with ADHD and autism, parenting and blended family questions, grief and trauma, and work or career stress. She also supports those facing issues with self-esteem, anger, intimacy, and caregiving strain.
Her experience covers a wide range of life challenges and transitions. Jody describes her style as supportive and relaxed. She aims to help people feel understood and to make choices that match their values.
Therapy may include practical skills, mindfulness practices, or focused problem-solving depending on what is most useful. People who prefer different session formats can meet by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Jody works with each person to set goals and find a rhythm that fits their daily life.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and then build small habits that align with those values. It often includes simple exercises to notice thoughts without getting stuck and to take action toward meaningful goals.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new ways of reacting. It often uses clear steps, homework between sessions, and practical tools to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills for managing strong emotions and improving relationships. It includes short-term tools for distress tolerance and techniques for steadying mood and communication.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that fit the person’s needs, and adjust the plan as progress is made. This collaborative process helps match techniques to the client’s preferences and life demands.
Online therapy offers practical benefits for scheduling and access. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction when needed, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging work well for quick check-ins or brief coaching between longer sessions. These options make it simpler to continue therapy around work, caregiving, or school commitments.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 24 years
- Licensed
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
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