LCSW, 22 years of experience
Hi, I'm Julia Kalp. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), providing therapy since 2012, and a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) since 2009. I have worked in the mental health and social services field since 2003. Over the past 22 years, I've worked with clients ranging from preschoolers to older adults, helping people across all stages of life find balance, strength, and emotional clarity. Before beginning outpatient practice, I worked in treatment facilities and provided in-home services to children, adolescents, and families. Those early experiences showed me how deeply our relationships, environments, and early experiences shape who we are—and how much healing becomes possible when people feel safe, understood, and supported. In my work today, I provide outpatient telehealth therapy for individuals, couples, and families. I specialize in addressing mood challenges, anxiety, trauma recovery, attention and impulse control concerns, attachment needs, and stress-related issues. I draw from evidence-based approaches, integrating trauma-informed and strengths-based care tailored to each person's needs. My clients often describe me as calm, compassionate, and easy to talk to. I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative—where we combine your insight and lived experience with my clinical tools to build meaningful change together. Whether you're healing from trauma, navigating anxiety or depression, managing ADHD, or wanting to strengthen relationships, my goal is to create a space where you feel seen, supported, and equipped with practical strategies that fit your life. Above all, I want you to leave therapy feeling more confident, capable, and connected than when you began.
In our first session, we’ll start by getting to know what brought you here and what you’d like to get out of therapy. I’ll ask about the challenges you’re facing and what’s been weighing on you, but also about what’s most important to you — your goals, values, and hopes for change. Together, we’ll begin building a personalized, realistic plan that supports where you are right now. Because I believe therapy should feel helpful from the start, I like leaving clients with at least one practical tool or perspective they can begin using right away. Depending on your needs, this might mean learning a calming strategy for moments of stress, a slight communication shift to try at home, or a simple way to start tracking patterns that impact your mood or relationships. The first session also gives us a chance to build a genuine connection and a sense of safety — the foundation of all meaningful work. Whether you’re coming in as an individual, couple, or family, we’ll use our time to make sure you leave the session feeling seen, understood, and with a clear direction for where we’ll go together next.
Since beginning my work in the helping professions in 2003, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people through many stages of life and healing. My therapeutic approach stands out because it blends warmth, collaboration, and deep respect for each person’s unique story with evidence-based practices that foster lasting change. My first goal in therapy is always safety—both emotional and relational. I want you to feel genuinely seen and understood. From there, we identify your current challenges and build a plan focusing on long-term growth, not just symptom management. Whether we’re addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, or relational conflict, I help clients connect their experiences to the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns that keep them feeling stuck, then equip them with practical, personalized strategies to move forward. Depending on your needs, I draw from several approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Emotional-Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness-based strategies. These methods allow us to address the “why” and the “how”—why something is happening and how to make sustainable changes in thinking, communication, and behavior. What truly differentiates my approach is how integrative and individualized it is. I tailor each session so that it’s relevant to your specific goals and life context—whether you’re a child learning to manage emotions, an adult navigating career or relationship challenges, or a couple trying to rebuild trust and emotional connection. I also believe therapy should be both reflective and actionable. By the end of each session, I aim for you to leave with insight and something tangible you can apply right away. My clients often describe our work together as both validating and empowering. Many say that for the first time, they feel genuinely understood and equipped with tools that work in their real lives. I consider therapy successful when you no longer need me—not because you’ve stopped caring about growth, but because you’ve developed the resilience, insight, and confidence to continue it independently. Over the years, I’ve seen the most meaningful change happen when clients feel deeply supported, understood, and challenged in compassionate ways. I take great care to provide that balance. At its core, therapy isn’t just about reducing distress—it’s about helping you reconnect with yourself, your goals, and the relationships that matter most. My goal has always been to work myself out of a job one individual, couple, or family at a time, because they’ve developed the skills and stability to thrive well beyond our sessions together. In short, what stands out about my work is this: you’ll be met with empathy, honesty, and collaboration—and you’ll gain tools and insights that make a real difference in how you live and connect with others. Together, we’ll address what’s hard right now and build a stronger foundation for the future you want to create.
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of individuals and families—each with their own story, strengths, and hopes for change. My ideal clients are ready to explore what’s been holding them back, even if unsure where to start. Whether you’re feeling weighed down by stress, struggling to regulate your mood, or trying to rebuild a connection in a relationship, my goal is to help you find relief, clarity, and confidence one step at a time. I work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Each age group brings challenges and opportunities, and I tailor therapy to meet you where you are. I often focus on emotional regulation, attention, and impulse control for children—helping them learn the skills they need to express themselves and thrive at home and school. For teens, our work often centers around identity, anxiety, relationships, and the growing pressures of independence. With adults, we may explore mood challenges, work-life balance, or how past experiences continue to shape the present. Couples come to me when communication has broken down or when stress, resentment, or emotional disconnection has begun to overshadow the love that first brought them together. I focus on rebuilding emotional safety and understanding in couples therapy so both partners can feel heard and valued again. With families, I take a systems approach—helping everyone identify patterns of interaction that keep them feeling stuck and finding ways to rebuild trust, cooperation, and calm in the home. I also specialize in trauma treatment and recovery, offering evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy. These methods are highly effective in helping clients process painful or confusing experiences, reduce symptoms such as those created by trauma, and regain a sense of control and empowerment. In trauma work, safety and pacing are essential. I take care to ensure that therapy never feels overwhelming or rushed, so you can move at the speed your mind and body are ready for. These treatments have broad applications and can be used to help you reach your goals. No matter who I’m working with, therapy is a partnership. I bring structure and evidence-based tools to help guide the process, but collaboration is the heart of our work. You know your life better than anyone else—I’m here to help you make sense of it, draw connections between past and present, and learn strategies that help you feel grounded, capable, and hopeful about the future. My clients often describe me as warm, straightforward, and encouraging. They appreciate that I bring professional expertise without judgment, and that I’m as invested in their progress as they are. I believe in giving clients something practical to try from the first session, because small steps build early confidence and momentum. Over time, those small steps create lasting changes in how you think, relate, and feel. My ideal client doesn’t have to have everything figured out—they need a willingness to show up, curiosity about their own patterns, and belief that growth is possible, even if life feels heavy right now. Whether we’re addressing trauma, anxiety, mood changes, ADHD-related challenges, or conflict in relationships, I want you to feel empowered to reclaim your story and make sense of what’s been hard. Therapy isn’t just about coping—it’s about healing, building emotional strength, and learning to trust yourself again. You deserve to feel grounded, connected, and proud of how far you’ve come. My goal is to help you get there, with compassion, structure, and unwavering support every step of the way.
First, I want to recognize something important—seeking therapy and working on yourself is incredibly brave. It takes courage to look at your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and say, "I want to understand this better." Whether you're here to improve your mental health, strengthen your relationships, or feel more in control of your life, that decision reflects real self-awareness and resilience. One of the primary approaches I use to support growth is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This practical, evidence-based method helps you recognize and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns that influence your emotions and behaviors. CBT works from the idea that while we can't always control what happens to us, we can learn to change how we interpret and respond to those experiences to promote balance, calm, and confidence. In our work together, we'll explore how your thoughts and beliefs might shape your current emotional patterns or relationship dynamics and build tools that empower you to respond differently. This might include identifying cognitive distortions, practicing mindfulness-based strategies, or experimenting with new coping techniques between sessions. I take a collaborative approach, which means we will set goals together and move at a pace that feels right for you. Research consistently shows that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for depression, anxiety, and many other mental health concerns, with substantial evidence supporting its ability to create lasting, measurable change (Beck, 2011; Hofmann et al., 2012). Many clients also find that CBT enhances communication, emotional regulation, and self-awareness—benefits ripple outward into healthier, more connected relationships. If you're seeking a therapy experience that combines practical tools with genuine understanding, CBT can help you develop the clarity and confidence to face challenges and build a more balanced, fulfilling life. I'd be honored to help guide you through that process.
Healing from trauma isn't just about courage-it's about finding the strength to repair trust again after experiences that may have left you feeling unsafe, unseen, or out of control. Many people who have lived through trauma find it hard to share their story- not because they don't want to heal, but because opening up about painful experiences can feel risky and overwhelming. That hesitation makes sense. The very part of you trying to protect yourself is the same part that needs compassion and safety to begin healing. That's where my work with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) comes in. CPT is an evidence-based trauma treatment designed to help people who've experienced trauma- including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, and other painful life events- understand how those experiences have shaped their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs about themselves and the world. In our sessions, we'll work together to identify "stuck points gently"- the patterns of self-blame, guilt, or mistrust that can keep you feeling trapped in the aftermath of trauma- and begin to reframe them in a way that allows for true emotional healing and growth. CPT provides a structured, supportive space to process your experiences safely, at your own pace. Through guided reflection and evidence-based techniques, you'll begin to release the weight of what happened and reconnect with the parts of yourself that trauma tried to silence- your confidence, your worth, and your ability to feel at peace again. Research shows that Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of the most effective and well-studied treatments for trauma and PTSD, with studies consistently demonstrating lasting reductions in trauma-related symptoms and improved quality of life (Resick et al., 2017; Chard et al., 2012). Many people who come to me for therapy find that they also experience stronger relationships, more emotional clarity, and a renewed sense of safety as they heal. If you've been carrying pain from experiences that were never your fault, you don't have to face that weight alone. CPT offers a clear, comprehensive path toward healing, and I'm here to walk that path with you, every step.
Beginning trauma therapy takes incredible inner strength. When you've experienced something painful or overwhelming, revisiting those memories can feel impossible - especially when you've spent so long just trying to survive. I want to start by honoring that truth; it's not weakness to need help processing trauma- it's strength to permit yourself to heal finally. Finding someone you trust to walk beside you in that process is an important and courageous first step. One of the most effective, research-supported methods I use for trauma recovery is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Developed by Drs. Judith Cohen, Anthony Mannarino, and Esther Deblinger, TF-CBT is a structured yet flexible approach designed to help children, adolescents, and adults understand how trauma affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we work to reduce the emotional distress linked to traumatic memories, rebuild a sense of safety, and strengthen coping skills that support long-term emotional balance. In our sessions, we'll move at a pace that feels right for you, combining psychoeducation, emotional regulation tools, gradual exposure, and cognitive processing to help your mind and body relearn that you are safe now. The process can be challenging at times, but it's also deeply empowering: as you begin to process what happened, you reclaim the parts of yourself that trauma tried to take away—your voice, your confidence, and your sense of peace. Research on TF-CBT has consistently shown strong and lasting outcomes, with numerous clinical trials demonstrating significant reductions in post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges (Cohen, Mannarino, & Deblinger, 2017). It's a treatment grounded in silence and compassion- helping individuals and families recover and grow stronger through the healing process. If you're ready to begin making sense of what happened and to emerge from the other side with greater strength, clarity, and resilience, I'd be honored to support you. TF-CBT offers a road map for healing, and together, we can help you move forward with confidence and self-trust.
Over the course of my work with individuals, I've found that real, lasting change comes from discovering one's reasons for change and feeling supported as one moves toward it. That's where Motivational Interviewing (MI) comes in. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, person-centered approach that helps you explore your motivations, values, and ambivalence around change. Whether improving your mental health, creating healthier habits, managing substance use, or navigating challenges in your relationships, MI helps you find clarity and confidence in the right direction. My role isn't to push or pressure you but to partner with you in curiosity- to help you uncover what's standing in your way and strengthen your belief in your ability to move forward. This approach emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and autonomy, so you always feel respected and empowered. Research consistently shows that Motivational Interviewing is highly effective in promoting meaningful behavioral and emotional change. Studies have found that MI improves substance use, health behaviors, and mental well-being outcomes, with strong evidence that it enhances engagement and commitment to therapy goals (Miller & Rollnick, 2013; Lundahl et al., 2010). It's also been shown to improve communication and collaboration in relationships, as people often begin applying the same listening and self-reflective skills in their personal lives. If you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready to understand yourself more deeply, MI offers a compassionate, research-based path toward growth and self-directed change. My goal is to help you make changes that matter and strengthen your confidence in your ability to keep growing long after therapy ends.
I have worked with couples who want to strengthen, repair, and grow their relationships throughout my career. My approach is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. This model focuses on helping partners rebuild emotional safety, deepen connection, and understand the patterns that keep them feeling stuck or disconnected. EFT isn't about assigning blame or "fixing" one person-it's about helping you understand what's happening underneath the surface: the emotions, attachment needs, and protective cycles that shape how you relate to each other. Together, we can slow things down, make sense of those moments that feel overwhelming or repetitive, and learn how to reach for each other in new, more secure ways. Research has consistently shown that Emotionally Focused Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for couples, with studies demonstrating that roughly 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery, and 90% show significant improvement (Johnson et al., 1999; Wiebe & Johnson, 2016). These are real, lasting changes-not just temporary fixes. I aim to create a safe, compassionate space where both partners can feel seen, heard, and understood. Whether you are navigating communication breakdowns, trust issues, or simply longing to feel closer again, EFT offers a roadmap to rediscovering connection and emotional intimacy. If you're ready to strengthen your relationship and grow together, I'd be honored to help you through this process.
6 ratings with written reviews
July 23, 2025
Since our first session, I felt surprisingly safe opening up, a rare ease that I credit to her deep understanding of the brain and trauma-informed approach. Because of our work, I've experienced fewer panic attacks and more emotional growth.
June 23, 2025
We have had Julia as our counselor since September 2016. She is bright, encouraging, and fun to talk to. She can be stern if the situation demands, but overall she works with us to find ways to raise our granddaughter. We will never use anyone else!
June 17, 2025
Julia creates a space for therapy that is truly safe. She is kind and patient, yet still helps me keep in mind the goals that I've established. Sessions with Julia allow me to see next steps, and feel hopeful about the future. Through working with her I've made progress in the areas that are important to me and continue to grow and feel more whole.