Josh Giiwe, LMSW
“We all face so many struggles as part of the human experience. I want to help you be who you want to be in this life.”
Josh Giiwe, LMSW
Joshua Giiwe, MSW (he/him/his)
Master Social Worker, State of Michigan
Western Michigan University, MSW | The University of Michigan, BS
I work with people aged 13 and up who are struggling with their mental health and/or substance use disorder.
Regardless of background and age, I just love working with people! We are fascinating, unique, and amazing in our own ways. I cherish being able to make a unique, genuine connection with each client.
I primarily work within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, however I have a strong stance that therapy is about human connection, and every therapeutic relationship and process will be different based on my client’s unique needs, wants, and experiences.
My clinical focus is about getting people to where they want to be in life, and working within the existing framework of the world as they understand it.
My ideal client is anyone who is motivated and committed to the difficult undertaking of self-improvement and finding a new way in life.
Get to Know Josh
Joshua Giiwe is a social work trained therapist, primarily working within the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy modality. In his previous work experiences in social work as a therapist, case manager, and in residential services, his primary goal was to work together with individuals to reach their goals in a manner they choose and works for them. While working as a therapist for BLND, he continues that mission by keeping therapy person-centered, evidence-based, and grounded in the realities and difficulties you face in your life.
Prior to working as a therapist, Josh has established an array of skills with a variety of individuals to provide with him with as many tools as possible to help his clients. At the University of Michigan, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology with a minor in biology, and graduated with his Master’s in Social Work from Western Michigan University. Psychology, biology, and social work have given him a broad academic foundation to understand the complexities within and outside of everyone. Specifically, his work as a Case Manager helped him to establish his solution-focused person-centered foundational approach to therapy, whether it be with groups, individuals, and/or families.
What’s your favorite thing about your work?
“The fulfillment I get from each session with meeting with someone. Even if progress is slow, or regression happens, I love being there with someone through it all and keeping up the good fight of bettering themselves.”
Are you currently doing any research?
“I have been published before on providing evidence based training to graduate students to aid in their workforce development. I have one paper under review about using Goal Attainment Scaling as part of workforce development. I am currently in the early process of writing a new paper with the same research group from WMU about providing services and training for substance use disorder in rural communities.”
Read anything good lately?
“I've been reading ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer before bed each night to learn more about the cultural and spiritual ideals of the Anishinaabe people. I’m mixed race—white and Native American—and my tribe, the Ojibwe, is one of many Anishinaabe tribes.”
Do you facilitate any process groups?
“I facilitate the Multiple Pathways group, which is for people in the early stages (or any stage) of their recovery journey who would like to discuss and learn more about the different recovery communities out there. We meet Wednesdays at noon at Urban Alliance in Kalamazoo—email me for more info.”
