Joanne (Jody) Girou

Joanne (Jody) Girou is a licensed master social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, parenting challenges, and relationship strain. She writes and speaks plainly, and aims to make sessions feel calm and approachable for people who may be nervous about starting therapy.

Jody draws on 24 years of experience in social work across settings with both children and adults. She has worked with people managing ADHD, autism, grief, depression, anger, and compassion fatigue, among other concerns. Her goal is to meet each person where they are and build on their strengths.

Her style is supportive, relaxed, and non-judgmental. She centers the person in the room and uses what the client already knows about themselves to plan steps forward. Interventions are practical and adapted to each person’s needs.

Jody uses a range of approaches including Trauma-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness-based work. She blends methods to match the situation rather than following a single script.

Sessions focus on concrete skills, problem solving, and increasing everyday coping. Clients work together with her to set goals and try small changes between sessions. Jody aims to make progress feel doable and grounded in everyday life.

How therapeutic approaches guide online work

Trauma-Focused Therapy centers on helping people process and respond to traumatic experiences. It often uses structured steps to reduce symptoms and rebuild a sense of safety and control. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, emphasizes noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then making choices that align with personal values to move forward. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, targets unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns by teaching practical skills for changing reactions and solving problems.

Finding the right approach is part of working together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then recommend methods to try. Decisions about which approaches to use are collaborative and can change over time as needs evolve.

Please confirm current session options before booking, since formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins from different locations. It can also support shorter focused appointments or longer weekly sessions depending on what works best for the person. Licensed professionals can adapt these approaches to address trauma, stress, and relationship concerns in ways that fit everyday life.