STEVE GIRARDEAU, PSYD

Steve Girardeau, Psy.D., is the director of clinical services for Mental Health Systems (MHS), one of the largest DBT-specialized practices in the Midwest.  He has overseen the care of thousands of clients including clients with co-morbid major mental health and personality disorders.  Dr. Girardeau has worked in non-profit community mental health clinics, in private practice and in multi-clinic settings.  He has been a therapist for over two decades, specializing in providing clinical services to clients with serious and persistent mental health diagnoses as well as personality and chemical use disorders.  Dr. Girardeau served as the president of the Minnesota Psychological Association in 2017 and is active in that organization’s executive committee, governing council, and legislative and payer committees.  He is also a member of a number of advocacy and policy committees and advisory groups in Minnesota.  Dr. Girardeau is also politically active in the service of psychology and the needs of clients as the head of the MPA PAC, a political action committee for the state of Minnesota.

Dr. Girardeau has worked as a clinician, clinical director, training director, program supervisor and a clinical team consultant.  He has extensive training in the treatment of chronic mental health conditions, most especially in the provision of DBT services.  Dr. Girardeau began his DBT training 16 years ago as a practicum student at MHS, he received training through group shadowing, participation in DBT specific trainings (including ones presented by Dr. Linehan), and one on one and group supervision  for DBT training.  He was one of the early team leaders certified by the State of Minnesota for the provision of adherent DBT services.  As the leader of a state certified program, Dr. Girardeau attended a number of state sponsored DBT trainings.  He has provided trainings at regional conferences, local seminars and created training programs in the areas of DBT, abuse, crisis management and safety planning, clinical work with clients with personality disorders, and treatment of clients with dual disorders.  He has co-developed and implemented new clinical programming for a range of mental health diagnoses.