ABOUT ME
JODANA "JODIE" VARILEK
I have a passion for working with others to improve their quality of life. I have spent twenty years working with young children; ages 0-3, school aged children, adolescents and adults, whom have had emotional, behavioral, medical and learning challenges. I have used different forms of psychotherapy, in working with clients, within residential facilities both inpatient and outpatient, hospitals, agencies, schools, university clinics and within the clients’ home environment.
I have experience working within Child Welfare to assist families in reunification and towards their goal of adoption. I have counseled children and adolescents, whom have experienced trauma, grief & loss, abuse, depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, behavioral outbursts, divorce issues, self-harm and more. I have experience teaching parenting classes to assist parents with daily routine parenting choices to improve and strengthen the parent/child relationship. I have provided psycho education and worked with parents on several issues such as writing behavior incentive plans to improve their child’s behavior. In addition, I have worked with families regarding co-parenting, divorce issues and more. I have experience providing family and marital therapy.
My approach to counseling is that it’s a learning process where respect and trust are built to develop a partnership between the therapist and client. I like to use creativity, in session, by utilizing multiple modalities such as: play, yoga, art, and movement. I am passionate and will meet the client where they are in the learning and therapeutic process to achieve their goals for therapy.
I am a graduate of Iowa State University where I received my bachelor’s degree in Child & Family Services and Psychology. I worked in child welfare and adoption for four years before attending the University of Illinois at Chicago, where I earned a master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in schools.
Upon obtaining my master’s degree I became a Licensed School Social Worker (LSSW). I worked in education for five years. Once tenured I then went on to obtain my Clinical Social Work License (LCSW) and went into managing a Mental Health Clinic where therapy and medication monitoring were provided. Additionally, I supervised a pre-K program for children 3-7 whom had been suspended and/or expelled from the school district in which they were attending.
I choose to live my life by the words of Mahatma Gandhi “You must be the Change you wish to see in the World” and have committed my life to working with others. I am available for daytime, evening and weekend appointments. I can be reached at 469.414.5800.
Sliding scale rates are available for those who qualify.
I have experience working within Child Welfare to assist families in reunification and towards their goal of adoption. I have counseled children and adolescents, whom have experienced trauma, grief & loss, abuse, depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, behavioral outbursts, divorce issues, self-harm and more. I have experience teaching parenting classes to assist parents with daily routine parenting choices to improve and strengthen the parent/child relationship. I have provided psycho education and worked with parents on several issues such as writing behavior incentive plans to improve their child’s behavior. In addition, I have worked with families regarding co-parenting, divorce issues and more. I have experience providing family and marital therapy.
My approach to counseling is that it’s a learning process where respect and trust are built to develop a partnership between the therapist and client. I like to use creativity, in session, by utilizing multiple modalities such as: play, yoga, art, and movement. I am passionate and will meet the client where they are in the learning and therapeutic process to achieve their goals for therapy.
I am a graduate of Iowa State University where I received my bachelor’s degree in Child & Family Services and Psychology. I worked in child welfare and adoption for four years before attending the University of Illinois at Chicago, where I earned a master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in schools.
Upon obtaining my master’s degree I became a Licensed School Social Worker (LSSW). I worked in education for five years. Once tenured I then went on to obtain my Clinical Social Work License (LCSW) and went into managing a Mental Health Clinic where therapy and medication monitoring were provided. Additionally, I supervised a pre-K program for children 3-7 whom had been suspended and/or expelled from the school district in which they were attending.
I choose to live my life by the words of Mahatma Gandhi “You must be the Change you wish to see in the World” and have committed my life to working with others. I am available for daytime, evening and weekend appointments. I can be reached at 469.414.5800.
Sliding scale rates are available for those who qualify.