With compassion and sensitivity, Julie will support you on your path to achieving your self-identified goals and becoming your best self!
Meet Julie. Julie is a certified clinical social worker with experience working with adolescents, young adults, and adults from diverse backgrounds. She appreciates the courageous vulnerability of those she works with and recognizes that therapy is the hardest kind of work! Using a collaborative approach, Julie focuses on emotionally walking with her clients and helping them utilize their strengths to overcome their challenges.
In addition to being a therapist, Julie serves as an instructor teaching the next generation of social workers at Grand Canyon University. She also regularly presents at national conferences (e.g., CSWE, NASW, and IFSW) on topics related to anti-trafficking, child welfare issues and mentoring. Her doctoral research focused on reintegration of sex trafficking survivors and discussed means of improving anti-trafficking services in the United States. Her post-doctoral research reviewed the state of the child welfare system in South Africa and identified means of improving assessment practices. She enjoys traveling, learning about other cultures, tasting food from all over the world, as well as boxing and Zumba.
Thoughts on therapy. “I use a holistic approach to therapy that encompasses all aspects of life. I believe that we are all fellow travelers in this journey of life – and I know that the ability to ask for help is a strength! I use an integrated therapeutic approach, which means I combine different methodologies (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Solution Focused Therapy) to find the best path to helping you reach your goals.”
Experience. Julie has worked in the mental health field for roughly thirteen years providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults. She enjoys assisting those who are dealing with relationship issues, anxiety, trauma, and depression as well as acculturation challenges. Julie prefers to use a collaborative approach to help people create and achieve attainable goals. Julie uses LifeForce Yoga techniques (e.g., breathing and meditation) in therapy to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. She has published peer-reviewed articles on the topics of child welfare, mentoring, sex trafficking, human trafficking, and street children. She has volunteered in both South Africa and in Ghana with human service organizations and studied the daily experiences of street children. She has previously volunteered with anti-trafficking agencies and is currently helping with a refugee resettlement project.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree (BSW): Social Work, 2002, Brigham Young University, Minor in International Development
- Master’s Degree (MSW): Social Work, 2004, University of Maryland
- Doctorate Degree (PhD): Social Work, 2019, Howard University
License
- LCSW-C (Maryland, 14347)
Languages
- English
Additional Training
- Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents
- SERVE: A Brain based approach to working with victims of Complex Trauma
Professional Memberships
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact Information