- Stress and anxiety
- Career and workplace
- Practical coping skills
About Julie
Julie Ekman is an Illinois licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 29 years of experience. She brings a calm, practical style to sessions and focuses on stress, anxiety, family concerns, self-esteem, career questions, and coping with life changes. Julie aims to meet people where they are and help them take manageable steps forward.
She trained with two master’s degrees - a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University. Much of her career was spent as a school social worker and family therapist, including 26 years working with middle school students. That background informs how she talks about everyday struggles and supports parents and adults facing transitions.
Julie uses a holistic, client-centered approach. She draws on strengths-based and solution-focused methods to find practical ways to move forward. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people notice and change unhelpful thinking patterns.
Typical topics people bring include workplace stress, relationship tension at home, low motivation, career uncertainty, and big life transitions like divorce or midlife reevaluation. She also addresses chronic pain, illness or disability, communication problems, and feelings of isolation.
Sessions focus on collaboration and clear, achievable goals. Julie aims to help people build skills for coping, improve communication, and regain a sense of direction in work and life. To begin, readers can use the Start Therapy button and complete the short matching questionnaire.
How evidence-based techniques can fit into online therapy
Julie uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide sessions. One common approach she uses is cognitive behavioral work, which helps people spot unhelpful thoughts and try new, more helpful ways of thinking. This can be useful for anxiety, panic, social worry, and low self-esteem.She also uses solution-focused and strengths-based methods that concentrate on what is working now and small, practical steps toward change. These approaches are often helpful for workplace problems, career decisions, and coping with life transitions. They tend to produce short-term, goal-focused plans that people can try between sessions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that fit their goals and preferences, and she will adjust the plan as progress is made. Clients and therapist decide together which tools to use and how to apply them to daily life.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow quicker check-ins during work breaks or between commitments. They can also let a person choose whether to use video or another option depending on comfort and practical needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
29+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Julie commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, family conflict, low self-esteem, career challenges, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include chronic pain and illness, communication problems, and workplace issues.
What is her general approach in therapy?
Julie uses a client-centered style that is practical and goal oriented. She incorporates strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral techniques to find workable next steps.
How much experience does she have?
She has 29 years of experience in social work, including long-term roles as a school social worker and family therapist.
What credentials and region apply to her practice?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and holds two master’s degrees, including a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients; sessions are provided to clients within her licensed region.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to get started?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.