Dr. Jillian Graves

Dr. Jillian Graves is a licensed clinical social worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan. She focuses on concerns such as anger, anxiety, stress, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, parenting strain, self-esteem, career issues, bipolar disorder, and depression. Jillian describes therapy as a collaborative process where she helps people set goals and offers ongoing support.

She earned a Master of Social Work at Smith College and a Ph.D. in social work from Bryn Mawr College. Her doctoral research looked at emerging adult siblings of people with schizophrenia, and that work informs how she understands family roles and development. That background also shaped her interest in adolescent and young adult development.

Jillian uses a mix of evidence-based therapeutic techniques rather than a single method. She draws on psychodynamic ideas including attachment theory to look at how early relationships influence current behavior. She also uses Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy to address thinking patterns and solution-focused strategies to set practical goals.

In sessions she emphasizes building trust and clear communication first. Conversations aim to make meaning of past experiences, improve communication skills, and translate insights into manageable steps. She supports people through the stages of change and stays engaged as they test new approaches.

Jillian notes that starting therapy can feel hard. She encourages questions and works together with each person to decide next steps and priorities.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Psychodynamic ideas, including attachment-based thinking, focus on how early relationships shape current reactions. In practice this looks like talking through patterns that repeat in relationships and identifying moments that link past and present. This helps with issues such as anger rooted in attachment wounds or recurring conflict.

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy targets the thoughts that drive strong emotions. A therapist helps identify unhelpful beliefs, tests them against real-life evidence, and teaches alternative ways to respond. That approach can be useful for managing anxiety, anger, and mood swings.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate to choose techniques that match a person's needs, goals, and preferences, testing what helps and adjusting as progress is made.

The biography does not specify which session formats are offered online, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and make it easier to schedule around work or family commitments. Licensed professionals can adapt conversation-based methods and skill practice to remote sessions so progress can continue even when in-person visits are not possible.