You’re used to having it all together, but lately things seem unmanageable

You’ve been thrown off by a life change or transition: a loss, a move, the end of a relationship, or a new stage of parenting. Before this happened, things were going well. Life was manageable and you were able to cope. 

You’ve been trying to deal with it on your own, because you’re used to being competent. But at this point, you’re frustrated with yourself.

Hi, I’m Julia

I’m so glad you’re here

I’m passionate about helping young people “adult,” supporting parents to be the kind of parents they wish they’d had, and guiding individuals through challenging life events or stages. My favorite thing about the process of therapy is how powerful the “simple” experience of sitting and talking can be. Some people experience the first trusting, unconditionally supportive relationship of their lives in therapy, and that singular experience allows them to feel brave enough to go forth and create more connections. That’s why I start our time together by listening closely, repeating back what I hear to make sure I have it right, and creating an environment where you feel heard and understood. This sets the stage for your transformation.

Why Being a Therapist is Important to Me

I grew up in a divorced family where the grown-ups were constantly fighting. They were angry and upset and swept up in their own feelings. I felt like I didn’t matter; I learned to be hypervigilant and pay close attention to others’ feelings and cues, rather than to my own gut and instincts. As I got older, I felt angry, incompetent in relationships, and pretty worthless. I was dealing with an internal storm but I was also sometimes externalizing my anger. 

I wanted to feel better and be better. So I embarked on a journey of self-exploration that ultimately led me to make sense of my experiences. I realized that my parents were flawed people who tried their best but were handicapped by their own childhoods. I forgave them. I developed new, different relationships with them. I felt inspired to be a different kind of person and a different kind of parent. 

This work is important to me because I believe (in a small way) I’m contributing to making the world a kinder place. My clients are able to move around in the world with greater flexibility, kindness and success because of the empathy and understanding conveyed when we talk about hard things, and the genuine delight on my face when they share about their successes.

Therapy with me is a safe “home base” from which to explore & experiment with new behaviors.

I support my clients by helping them deeply examine what isn’t working and using creative strategies tailored to their individual needs.

Connection is at the core of human experience. In early childhood, we need a safe, predictable, loving relationship to develop a coherent and stable “sense of self (in other words, your perception of who you are, what you’re good at, is reflected in your caregiver’s face, words, and actions.) When the caregiver-child relationship does not have those qualities, our sense of self is hard to make out—like a dirty or cracked mirror. Safe, nurturing relationships are imperative for personal growth. You’ll find that kind of relationship with me.

 Education & Credentials

I got my Master’s of Marriage & Family Therapy at USC in 2014. I’m trained in several evidence-based practices including Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety (for substance abuse and PTSD), Managing and Adapting Practice, Structural Family Therapy, Positive Parenting Program, and Emotion-focused Therapy. I also pull strategies from Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR and Attachment Theory.

My Specialties

How can I best support you?