Julia Ruane
Hi, I'm Julia! Seeking therapy can feel overwhelming, and I commend you for taking this important step toward caring for yourself and your well-being.
I work with clients through the unpredictability of trying to start a family, including adoption and fertility issues.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Perinatal Mental Health Certified therapist (PMH-C through Postpartum Support International) who specializes in supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the many emotional experiences that can surround becoming a parent. My practice focuses on helping individuals navigate fertility challenges, adoption journeys, pregnancy and infant loss, birth trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and the often unpredictable transition to parenthood. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, feeling unlike yourself after having a baby, grieving a loss, or adjusting to a life you never expected, you do not have to go through it alone. I provide a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where you can explore your experiences without judgment while gaining practical tools to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself. I believe therapy should be a place where you can show up exactly as you are. My goal is to help you better understand what you're experiencing, strengthen your coping skills, and move through this vulnerable season with greater clarity and self-compassion.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and for you to begin sharing your story in a safe, supportive environment. We'll discuss what led you to therapy, what challenges you're facing, and what you hope might change through our work together. I'll answer any questions you have about the therapy process and explain how I typically approach treatment. You do not need to arrive with a perfectly organized explanation of what's wrong. We can start wherever you are. My hope is for you to leave your first session feeling heard, understood, and with a clearer sense of how we can work together moving forward.
Strengths
I bring warmth, humor, empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand the person behind the challenges they are facing. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship where clients feel safe being fully themselves, even when discussing thoughts, feelings, or experiences that may be difficult to share. My approach is compassionate and nonjudgmental while also being practical and evidence-based. I believe therapy should do more than simply explore what's wrong; it should help you better understand yourself while providing meaningful tools you can apply in everyday life. I take a collaborative approach and view you as the expert on your own life. Rather than telling you what to do, I work alongside you to identify what matters most, understand what's keeping you stuck, and develop strategies that align with your personal values and goals. As a Perinatal Mental Health Certified therapist, I also bring specialized expertise in fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, loss, birth trauma, and the transition to parenthood.
Ideal clients
I work with individuals who are navigating pregnancy, postpartum life, infertility, fertility treatment, adoption, birth trauma, pregnancy or infant loss, and the emotional complexities of becoming a parent. You may be experiencing: - Anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts - Grief related to miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons or infant loss - Difficulty adjusting to parenthood - Fear and uncertainty during pregnancy - Emotional distress related to infertility or fertility treatment - A sense that you no longer feel like yourself You may find yourself thinking: "Why don't I feel happier about my pregnancy?" "I love my baby, but I don't feel like myself." "Everyone else seems to be handling motherhood better than I am." "I'm terrified something will happen to my baby." "I can't stop thinking about my pregnancy loss." "I'm struggling with infertility and I'm tired of pretending I'm okay." You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Sometimes the first step is simply recognizing that something feels off and wanting things to feel different. My goal is not to tell you how you should feel. It is to help you better understand your experience, feel less alone, and build a life that feels more manageable, meaningful, and authentically yours.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT, DBT, and mindfulness techniques to help clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and patterns while developing practical ways to cope with difficult moments. With CBT, we may explore how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another and identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck. Together, we can work toward developing more balanced and helpful ways of thinking and responding.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT skills can be especially helpful for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, improving relationships, and responding to difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed. I often incorporate practical skills that clients can use outside of our sessions when emotions feel particularly strong.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness can help clients slow down, become more aware of what they're experiencing, and learn to respond to their thoughts and emotions rather than automatically reacting to them. This can be particularly helpful when anxiety or intrusive thoughts feel overwhelming. I don't believe there is a single approach that works for everyone. I draw from these methods based on each client's individual needs, goals, and preferences, with the goal of helping you feel more grounded, confident, and able to navigate life's challenges.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
White
Woman
Top specialties
Fertility & Reproduction Issues
Perinatal Mental Health
Postpartum
Other specialties
Grief
Life Transitions
Parenting
Women's Issues
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Individual Therapy
Woman
Licensed in
PennsylvaniaLicense CW019712