Jill Chonody, LCSW

Jill Chonody is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Idaho with seven years of experience. She has provided care in both outpatient and inpatient settings and brings practical experience from medical settings and psychiatric hospitals. Jill also has a background in HIV prevention and education and has worked as a social work educator.

Her work focuses on common concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, and grief. She also helps people coping with relationship strain, trauma and abuse, and issues related to identity and self-esteem. Jill supports those dealing with health-related challenges, including HIV, and age-related concerns.

Jill centers the relationship in sessions and aims to be present and open. She uses a collaborative style and supports each person’s right to make their own choices. Conversations tend to be warm and interactive, with attention to strengths and practical steps.

Her approach draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, client-centered ideas, and solution-focused techniques. That means sessions often mix talking through personal stories, identifying patterns of thought and behavior, and setting small, doable goals. Jill and the client shape the plan together based on immediate needs.

She values dignity and respect in every interaction and encourages people who are ready to take the next step toward change. Jill’s experience in clinical and educational roles informs a straightforward, compassionate way of working.

How different approaches guide online sessions

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and understanding your experience. The therapist focuses on being present, accepting your choices, and following what matters most to you. This approach helps when people need emotional support and a space to make sense of a difficult time.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors affect mood. Sessions often identify unhelpful thinking patterns and test new behaviors in small steps. CBT can be useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and obsessive patterns.

Narrative therapy helps people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. It separates the person from the problem and seeks alternatives that fit their values. This can be helpful for identity concerns, shame, and life changes.

Finding the best approach is part of the work. Jill will collaborate with each person to choose which ideas to use based on their goals and preferences. The plan often blends methods and adjusts over time as needs change.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation, phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat can suit shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make scheduling more flexible and help people fit therapy into busy lives.