About my practice…
When you walk into my therapy office, my goal is for you to feel welcomed and comfortable.
”This is your space, an oasis where you can relax.
Take off your shoes, enjoy yourself and the art of living.
Feel free, think big, think small. This is a place where people will be seen.
Take your time and breathe. Savor the moment. Use your key and open your heart.
Laugh, cry, or be crazy if you like. This is your space.”
—Unknown
“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
Life Experience
Being the daughter of a corporate executive, I was lucky enough to have lived on three different continents by the time I was a junior in high school (North America, Europe, and Asia). This was highly formative, and because of those experiences of being the “other”, I have a desire for helping those who feel they don’t have a voice. From my own experience and in helping others, I believe when we feel nurtured and safe in relationships, we shine—it creates an opportunity for us to grow into our best selves.
I’ve been married for 20 years, and my husband and I have had to fight for our marriage. Our marriage hasn’t always been easy, and I truly understand the heartache, frustration, and hopelessness (and sometimes rage, ha!) that can accompany hurt relationships. We’ve had some amazing therapists (both individual and relational) and I wholeheartedly believe that the skills we learned in therapy, alongside our hard work, has helped us to grow as individuals and as a couple. I bring those years of lived experience with me into the therapy room. I’m passionate about getting to the core(s) of the issue, and teaching practical tools to help couples experience relief, a better sense of connectedness, and even joy.
I’m also a mother of three children, and suffered from postpartum anxiety and depression with my first two kids (and being a therapist myself I wasn’t able to realize that I had it—it can take a specially trained eye to see it). I experienced severe sleep deprivation for years, and know how absolutely awful it is. Parenthood can be extremely isolating and emotionally taxing, and I have a tender spot in my heart for those who are in the throws of it.
Education
Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Management from the University of St. Thomas
Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Bethel Seminary.
Additional training/education
Relational Life Therapy, currently finishing certification
Sex Therapy from UW Stout’s graduate sex therapy certificate program
Energy psychology (emotional freedom technique (EFT), otherwise known as “tapping”) , levels 1 and 2
Maternal mental health through Postpartum Support International
Gottman’s Bringing Baby Home workshop
Gottman Couples Level 1
Gottman Affairs and Trauma
EMDR certified
Ego States
PREPARE/ENRICH certified
“Julie is a ROCKSTAR!
Her genuine heart for healing the internal person, love for laughter and honoring the hard places people have been make her stand out from the rest.”
Style or types of therapy?
I don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I am trained in family systems, so I like to look at the whole picture (your current and past relationships, and other influencing factors) during our sessions. With that said, I do lean towards attachment theory in practice. I use a collaborative approach, which means I’m working alongside of you, in a way that’s comfortable and honoring to you. I’ll encourage you, focus on your strengths, support you, give education when appropriate, and I may challenge some of your beliefs from time to time.
If you’re wanting to change, I think the best way is to try to figure out why you’re doing the things you’re doing. So, we’ll explore that, and then work on meaningful new ways of doing things and relating to others.
In addition to talk-therapy, I also use a mind-body approach, and can utilize EMDR and EFT (tapping).
Give from your overflow…
Authenticity- Brene Brown said it best: “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” This can be scary and hard, and I’d be honored to work alongside you to help let your authentic, beautiful self shine.
Affirmation- I welcome clients ready to change and grow, I value cultural and gender identity and love that families come in all shapes and sizes.
I support LGBTQIA individuals and families. My practice is open to all new and expecting parents and individuals who need help regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender orientation, etc.
