Jodi Berger Cardoso LCSW, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical  Social Worker.

Jodi Berger Cardoso has a PhD in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).  Jodi is a bilingual (English/Spanish) social worker and activist. She received a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University (2004) and a PhD (2012) in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to clinical practice, Jodi is a full-time professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work. Jodi has spent the last 20 years conducting research, facilitating healing and therapy, and collaborating with clients and the community toward a shared vision of wellness.

Jodi’s practice specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults who have suffered from trauma and its aftermath. Trauma often manifests in symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Jodi has experience treating complex posttraumatic stress disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, and grief/loss in children, adolescents, and adults. She also has extensive experience with assessment and diagnosis and has conducted mental health evaluations for immigrant and refugee children, adolescents, and adults seeking immigration relief.

Jodi approaches therapeutic work from an anti-oppressive framework and believes that clients know what they need to heal and foster their growth. She firmly believes her role is to help clients walk through the pain so they can live their best lives. Jodi has received training in play therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Finally, Jodi has a deep connection with helping clients process normal bereavement and complex grief.

Jodi grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a divorced single mother of two kids, 13 and 7 years old. Music drives her soul and brings joy and stability to her life. She has a vast appreciation for most genres of music. Most people are surprised to learn she loves punk rock and heavy metal music. Jodi’s happy place outside of the city is the mountains. She has recently hiked trails in Sedona, Banff, Red Rocks, and Glacier National Park. When she is not parenting, rocking, or hiking, she likes to take a spin at a local Houston studio, do reformer Pilates, and visit local art galleries in town.