- Years in practice
- 21
- Credentials
- LMSW
- Licensed in
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Jillian
Dr. Jillian Graves is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan. She brings 21 years of experience helping people who are coping with stress, anxiety, mood changes, grief, addiction, anger, trauma, and parenting concerns.
Her approach is calm and direct, focused on building a trusting working relationship so clients can set clear goals and make steady progress. Graves earned a Master of Social Work at Smith College and completed a Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College.
Background and approach
Her doctoral research looked at emerging adult siblings of people with schizophrenia, which informs her interest in adolescent and young adult development. She has experience running both group and individual sessions with adults and adolescents. In sessions she keeps language straightforward.
She helps people improve communication, make sense of their history, and try practical changes that fit daily life. Therapy is collaborative - she works with each client to set goals and choose approaches that match those goals. Her methods are drawn from evidence-based therapeutic techniques and several established schools of thought.
She often focuses on attachment and relationship patterns, problem-solving strategies, and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior. Parents often appreciate the mix of practical tools and attention to underlying patterns. Beginning therapy can feel hard, and she aims to make intake and early sessions clear and manageable.
People who want to learn more can ask questions about how sessions are structured and what to expect.
What Jillian works with
Everything Jillian lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Jillian helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Addictions
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
Approaches that translate well to online care
Therapy with Dr. Graves draws on a few established, practical approaches. One is psychodynamic work with attention to attachment patterns, which helps people understand how early relationships shape current behavior and reactions. This approach is useful for exploring family dynamics and persistent relationship patterns.She also uses Rational Emotive Behavioral ideas to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. That method breaks problems into specific thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches skills to shift them, which can help with anxiety, anger, and mood struggles.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. She will collaborate with clients to choose or combine methods based on symptoms, goals, and what feels most helpful. That process can be adjusted as progress is reviewed.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people use visual cues and have deeper conversation; phone can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or a quick check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging allow short, timely support between sessions or for those who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy family and work schedules while keeping the focus on steady progress.
Questions people ask about Jillian
What concerns does she address?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, grief, addictions, anger, trauma and parenting challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is collaborative and straightforward, with an emphasis on building trust, clear goals, and practical steps to improve communication and daily functioning.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 21 years of experience working with adults and adolescents in both group and individual settings.
What credentials and region are listed?
She holds an LMSW credential and practices in Michigan.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs.
How do costs and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.
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