My Journey to Becoming a Counselor
I was born and raised in Philadelphia and spent most of my life on the East Coast before moving to Colorado in 2022. I grew up in a Jewish and Cuban family where community, education, curiosity, and spirited conversation were woven into everyday life. Those values continue to shape who I am and how I show up in relationships today.
After college, I spent time in South Africa volunteering with a surf therapy program before beginning a career in the corporate world. While I found success and fulfillment in that chapter of my life, I was always drawn to something deeper: people’s stories. I found myself most energized by meaningful conversations—the moments when people felt safe enough to set aside expectations, share their authentic selves, and connect with one another in genuine ways.
Like many people, my path has included experiences of loss, relational wounds, discrimination, and periods of uncertainty. Through those experiences, I came to understand the profound impact that supportive relationships, therapy, animals, nature, and community can have on healing. These connections helped me find greater trust in myself, a stronger sense of purpose, and a clearer understanding of what matters most to me.
Several years ago, I made the decision to leave my corporate career and pursue the path that had been calling to me for much longer. I am currently completing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regis University, where I am deepening my commitment to helping others navigate life’s challenges with curiosity, compassion, and authenticity.
My Approach to Counseling
My counseling approach is rooted in the belief that healing happens in the context of safe, authentic relationships. I strive to create a warm, collaborative space where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences with curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we can examine the patterns, beliefs, and relational dynamics that may no longer be serving you while building greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and connection to your values.
I am especially interested in the ways our identities are shaped by our families, cultures, communities, and histories. This includes a particular passion for exploring intergenerational trauma, resilience, belonging, and the impact of collective experiences on mental health. As someone raised in the Jewish community, I am drawn to supporting individuals navigating questions of cultural and religious identity, community, spirituality, and the unique joys and challenges that can accompany the Jewish experience.
More broadly, I am fascinated by how inherited stories, cultural narratives, and family legacies influence our relationships with ourselves and others. I am deeply interested in the stories we carry about ourselves and the ways those stories evolve over time. For this reason, I am drawn to narrative and existential approaches that invite exploration of meaning, identity, purpose, and personal agency. I also appreciate aspects of Gestalt therapy that encourage present-moment awareness and help illuminate how past experiences continue to shape our lives today. My hope is to support clients in developing a deeper understanding of themselves, cultivating greater authenticity, and creating lives that feel aligned with their values and sense of purpose.
Julia’s Desired Areas of Specialty
I enjoy working in kiddos, teens and adults who are navigating the following areas in their lives:
- Intergenerational trauma and collective trauma
- Jewish identity, culture, trauma, grief, and belonging
- Attachment Wounds
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Life Transistions
- Personal Growth
- Trauma
- Identity Development
Julia’s Degrees, Certifications, and Trainings
- Bachelor’s Degree in Writing and Communication from University of Pittsburgh
- Certificate in Children’s Literature from University of Pittsburgh
- Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a quadruple focus in Marketing, Management, Analytics, and Information Systems from Villanova University
- Master’s in Counseling from Regis University in progress
- Play Therapy Certificate from Regis University in progress
- Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies training in progress