Jodyne(Jody) Bilstrom, LCSW

Jodyne (Jody) Bilstrom is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of professional experience. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and has spent much of her career in mental health and chronic health settings. Jody has run a private practice for the last 10 years focusing on trauma, grief, chronic health issues, depression, and anxiety.

Her counseling style is laid back and down to earth. She aims to treat people with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Jody uses a supportive tone and brings a sense of warmth and occasional humor into sessions.

In sessions she focuses on identifying strengths and building on them. Jody helps people sort through what feels overwhelming right now and works alongside them to set practical steps forward. Conversations and treatment plans are tailored to each person’s needs.

She has experience helping people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, coping with life changes, and addictions. Additional areas she addresses include chronic pain, illness and disability, caregiver stress, body image, eating and sleeping concerns, ADHD, bipolar, and intimacy-related issues.

Jody values a collaborative approach. She listens for what matters most and adapts tools from several approaches to fit each person’s goals. Her aim is to support and empower people as they make changes that matter in daily life.

How Jody adapts evidence-based approaches for online care

Jody draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to shape online sessions. ACT helps people notice painful thoughts and commit to values-based action, which can be useful for chronic health challenges and persistent worry. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and empathy so clients feel heard while they work through loss or life changes. CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers concrete skills for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Jody will help you choose methods that fit your goals, needs, and preferences. That decision is collaborative and can change over time as progress and challenges become clearer.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Some clients find it easier to maintain momentum between visits when sessions fit into regular routines. A clear plan and agreed-upon tools help make online therapy practical and focused for daily life.