About Joanne
Joanne (Jody) Girou offers a calm, nonjudgmental presence for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, or life changes. She introduces simple, practical steps so clients can start feeling steadier and more able to cope. Jody aims for a relaxed pace in sessions so conversations feel manageable even when concerns feel big.
With 24 years in social work, she brings steady experience to common struggles like depression, grief, and relationship strain.
How Joanne works
Her background includes support related to ADHD, autism, trauma and abuse, and caregiving stress. Jody uses the strengths people already have and builds from there. Her approach blends structured tools and mindful skills.
She draws on cognitive-behavioral ideas to address unhelpful thoughts and patterns. She also uses acceptance-focused and mindfulness practices to reduce reactivity and increase flexibility. Sessions are collaborative and practical.
Goals are set together and reviewed as progress happens. Jody adapts techniques to fit each person’s pace and daily life, whether the need is short-term coaching or ongoing work. People can meet by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Jody works with adults and parents who want straightforward strategies for coping, improving communication, or managing intense emotions. She holds a Michigan Licensed Master Social Worker credential (LMSW).
Joanne lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
What Joanne works with
The areas below are the ones Joanne selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- 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
Training and background
| Register | LMSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 24 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Michigan |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Practical approaches for online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and identifying personal values to guide small, meaningful actions. It can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions by focusing on what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is useful for anxiety, low mood, and stress-related problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening communication. These tools are often helpful for anger, relationship strain, and overwhelming stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Jody collaborates with each person to choose and adjust methods that match their needs, goals, and comfort level. She checks in regularly to see what helps and will change direction when something isn’t working.
Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video offers face-to-face interaction for deeper conversation, while phone sessions can fit into a busy day or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging are useful for shorter check-ins, homework feedback, or when written reflection feels easier. These formats offer flexibility so people can use therapy in ways that fit into their daily lives.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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