Clinical Training
I received a Master of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University Seattle, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Washington. Much of my Masters work focused on women's issues, with a strong emphasis on the transition to motherhood, and the experience of birth across diverse cultures. Additionally, I have completed doctoral level courses in Clinical Psychology, with a Pre– and Perinatal Specialty, at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington, and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in New
Mexico, I am also credentialed as a National
Certified Counselor, and earned a Post-Graduate Certificate in Foster Care and Adoption Therapy from Antioch University Seattle.
As a trained EMDR therapist, I am also equipped to offer this modality to my clients for support across a wide range of issues and concerns.
Experience
As a long standing member of the state's perinatal therapy community, I have held positions as Vice-Chair and Advisory Committee Member for Postpartum Support International of Washington (now known as Perinatal Support Washington). I have also acted as Washington State Coordinator for Postpartum Support International, had a role on the Washington State Leadership Advisory Committee for the Speak Up When You're Down Postpartum Depression Awareness Campaign, and was primary author for the 2010 revised edition of the book, Beyond the Birth: A Family's Guide to Postpartum Mood Disorders.
Enhancing my role as a therapist, I am both a HypnoBirthing® Childbirth and Fertility Educator, a HypnoMothering® Practitioner, and a Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator.
I have spent many years collaborating with other professionals to provide education and make institutional and
organizational changes for women and families across Washington, as well as assisting women in
addressing concerns around their reproductive mental health. This allows me to offer practical and experienced guidance to those in need of support during this stage of life, while also being able to address a variety of other concerns
that impact women's general sense of wellbeing.
About Juliana
Of course it is important to make sure that your therapist is well trained and has the skill set to help you address your concerns. Perinatal counseling is a specialty, and you deserve to receive informed, experienced care from someone who has a
deep understanding of the challenges women may face during their reproductive years.
But the reality is that much of the success of your counseling experience will be determined by the quality of the relationship that you build with your provider. The greatest set of therapeutic skills will be less effective if you don't feel like you can forge a trusting relationship with your therapist. I take time with my clients to try to really get to know them as people, not just as the set of issues that they bring to the table. I am interested in understanding your concerns and fears, but also your hopes and dreams, interests, and the vision for the kind of life that you want to live.
And you deserve to know a little bit about who your therapist is too. Counseling can sometimes feel a little bit intimidating, especially if you've never done it before and you don't know what to expect.
The work we do can be tough; we often talk about hard things. But I also believe that, when appropriate, even challenging topics can involve an element of lightheartedness, and I think that laughter plays an essential role in healing.
My personal and professional interests often intertwine, and I have been drawn to the study of mindfulness-based practices, and complementary
modalities to achieving physical and psychological wellness. My love of the outdoors and connection with the natural world has led me to additional
educational pursuits, including the study of herbal medicine, which included an intensive
seven month wildcrafting apprenticeship. I am very interested in nutrition, the impacts this has on our mental and physical health, and in the concept and practice of using food as medicine.
I can often be found gardening indoors or out, cooking, reading, hiking, or traveling. Or just
spending quiet time with my beloved Leonbergers, my sweet, furry girls who do their best to remind me to
slow down and appreciate the joys in the simple things that surround us, and that living in the moment is typically
the best place to be.
And, I am a mother and wife myself, so I've been there, and I can relate. My son is now grown and through college, but the parenting doesn't stop, even when your children have become adults.
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