Jodi Jankowski
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bowling Green State University and my Master of Social Work from the University of Toledo. I have been working with individuals and communities since 1998 and became independently licensed in 2011. I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory Designation.
Life can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in patterns we struggle to understand. Whether you're navigating trauma, identity, ADHD, addictions or challenges in your relationships with yourself and others, you deserve to feel heard and respected.
Throughout my career, I have supported individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults, and older adults. My experience includes working with individuals, couples, and families, particularly people who are marginalized, underserved, unhoused, or living with serious and persistent mental illness and co-occurring conditions. Much of my clinical work has centered on individuals impacted by significant trauma, including complex and generational trauma. I recognize that mental health concerns rarely exist in isolation. Trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, and other life stressors can intersect in complex ways. I am also interested in helping clients explore patterns in their relationships with food, body image, social media, technology, and other aspects of daily life that may affect emotional well-being, self-esteem, and connection with others. My therapeutic approach is grounded in humanistic and relational principles, influenced by Carl Rogers and Virginia Satir. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care, adapting these approaches to each client's individual experiences, strengths, needs, and goals.
Strengths
I believe you deserve to be understood as a whole person, not defined by your struggles, diagnosis, identity, or past experiences. Together, we can explore the experiences that have shaped you, recognize patterns that may no longer serve you, and develop a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and needs. My goal is not to tell you who to be or how to live. It is to help you reconnect with your strengths, cultivate self-compassion, and discover what a more meaningful and intentional life looks like for you. Whether you are healing from trauma, exploring your identity, navigating ADHD or co-occurring mental health concerns, working through difficulties with food or body image, or seeking healthier relationships with others and the world around you, therapy can be a place to pause, reflect, grow, and move forward at your own pace.
Ideal clients
I help individuals navigate trauma, co-occurring mental health concerns, relationship challenges, LGBTQIA+ complexities, ADHD, and difficulties with food, body image, and everyday coping. I have years of experience working with a variety of addictions. I do not specialize in sex addiction but can help you navigate searching for the right therapist. Through a collaborative, compassionate approach, we build self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and work toward meaningful change at your pace.
Origin story
Have you ever felt like you’ve spent so much of your life trying to survive, meet others’ expectations, or manage difficult circumstances that you’ve lost touch with yourself? Perhaps you've experienced trauma, struggled with relationships, or found yourself repeating patterns you don't fully understand. Maybe you feel overwhelmed by your emotions, disconnected from others, or uncertain about how to move forward. You may be navigating questions about your identity, struggling with your relationship with food or your body, feeling overwhelmed by social media and its influence on your life, processing the impacts of generational trauma or trying to understand how ADHD or other co-occurring mental health concerns affect your daily experiences. Sometimes, the ways we cope with difficult emotions or circumstances can begin to create challenges of their own. We may turn to certain behaviors, relationships, or distractions for comfort, only to find ourselves feeling more disconnected, overwhelmed, or dissatisfied over time. You may recognize patterns in your life that you want to change but struggle to understand why they keep returning. You don't have to have everything figured out to begin therapy. You may not even know exactly what you need, only that something needs to change. Perhaps you want to feel more grounded, understand yourself better, improve your relationships, manage overwhelming emotions, or develop strategies that make everyday life more manageable. You may be looking for relief, clarity, connection, or simply a place where you can explore your experiences with honesty and feel heard and respected.
Ongoing work together
Our work may address self-acceptance, marginalization stress, internalized stigma, anxiety, depression, communication, boundaries, and relationship patterns. We may also explore how social expectations, online environments, and comparisons with others influence identity, body image, self-worth, and emotional well-being. Drawing from humanistic and relational approaches, CBT, DBT, and ACT, I help clients identify unhelpful beliefs, develop coping strategies, clarify their values, and make choices that reflect who they are and what matters to them. My goal is to support clients in developing self-understanding, confidence, and meaningful connections while recognizing that each person's journey is unique. I believe therapy should provide room for curiosity, reflection, and growth without requiring anyone to have all the answers before beginning.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I strive to offer an affirming, respectful environment where clients can explore their experiences without pressure to conform to others' expectations. I recognize the importance of being understood as a whole person and honor each client's identity, lived experience, relationships, and personal goals.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT principles can help clients recognize self-critical thoughts without allowing those thoughts to define them, clarify what matters most, and take manageable steps toward meaningful goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT-based strategies, executive functioning support, task breakdown, planning and prioritization, routines, reminders, emotional awareness, distress tolerance, and communication skills.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I approach trauma with patience, curiosity, and respect for each person's lived experience. I recognize that coping strategies often develop for a reason, even when they eventually create additional difficulties. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or behaviors, I work collaboratively with clients to understand the context behind their experiences and identify opportunities for change.
Location
Virtual sessions