Couples therapists in Irvine, CA

I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.

I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist based in Los Angeles and love this work. I came to therapy through an unconventional path — nearly a decade in film and photography, work as a youth counselor, and service in the military — all of which deeply shaped how I understand people and their stories.

I earned my master's degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where I focused on psychodynamic and depth-oriented approaches. My thesis centered on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a specialty I've continued developing through advanced trainings I've completed.

I work with individuals, couples, adolescents & families across a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I have a particular love for working with creative professionals, veterans and young adults. I'm LGBTQ+ affirmative and love working with folks from the queer community.

My practice spans traditional talk therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) — including psychedelic integration support for those processing experiences outside of our work together. I see clients in person in Atwater Village in Northeast LA, and virtually throughout California.

More that fifteen years of teaching English and drama at a Los Angeles public high school taught me many things - primarily, it taught me how often people's barriers to achievement are not due to any lack of skill or ability, but rather from emotional barriers stemming from stress, adversity and trauma. So, I went back to graduate school to pursue a new career as a therapist so that I could help in a different way. My training and experience has focused on treating anxiety disorders, PTSD (including Complex-PTSD) and also couples - helping them to navigate challenges and triggers so that they can reset and reconnect.

All roads lead to Rome! It doesn't matter where we jump in, if you’re ready, we’ll get there. My POV is through a Neurodiverse lens and incorporates Attachment Theory and C-PTSD with the idea that much of our conflict and distress stems from old wounds & unmet needs that can often be traced back to necessary adaptations needed to survive not only our families of origin but also societal norms and expectations. The gig of being human is hard and de-coding this blueprint can provide a path toward understanding, healing and, fulfillment. I utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities including Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Hi, I’m Julie. I have been a therapist for almost 20 years. I have experience with individuals and families who are living with mental health issues, and I also have extensive experience helping those with substance use problems. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, therapy can offer a supportive place to feel understood, begin to recover, and reconnect with yourself.