Julia Saenz, Psy.D.

(she/her)

10 years of experience
Authentic
Empowering

Hey there! Congratulations on taking the first step to finding a therapist. It tends to be the hardest - acknowledging that things aren't going so well requires honesty, self-awareness, and humility. Or an "admittance of failure" as some might describe it. At least that's what it feels like. I assure you that you didn't fail and you're not a failure, no matter how strong those feelings might be. It's the system that's flawed; it drowns us in unrealistic expectations and superficial comparisons, causing us to feel overwhelmed, irritable, disconnected, lonely, and unfulfilled. I help folx identify and understand challenges related to self, sexual and gender identity, food, and pregnancy and motherhood, just as I hold space for those suffering from chronic mood and anxiety disorders. I think of health holistically and aim to integrate mind, body, and spirit by incorporating mindfulness and meditation. Similarly, I prioritize casting a support network that consists of both meaningful social connections and a collaborative team of various health care providers (i.e. psychiatry and dietetics). Under your guidance and my expertise, we embark on your journey to self-discovery. Along the way, you'll learn to decipher your needs and develop skills that empower you to change the narrative of your life story. You'll use pragmatic strategies, concrete behaviors, as well as symbolic and spiritual rituals and somatic experiences. Most importantly, you'll foster curiosity and compassion for yourself and others.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Sessions are approximately 50 minutes in duration and usually focus on what you bring to the table. I believe that you're the expert on you, which means that you intuitively know best what it is that you need. My intention is not to push a predetermined agenda. Instead, my goal is to meet you where you're at and make space for what's weighing on your mind, while holding on to the red thread that ties your life together to ultimately help connect the dots, foster awareness, and promote growth and healing. This approach requires a certain level of comfortability and a lot of trust. To get a better sense of who I am and determine whether I'm a good fit for you, we'll get on a complimentary 15-min consultation call before meeting for an initial session.

The treatment methods and tools I utilize

My approach to therapy is best described as eclectic and individualized. I believe everyone's struggles are unique and can't be addressed by a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I tailor treatment to each individual's needs. I incorporate both past and present experiences, and draw on various therapeutic approaches, including CBT, DBT and ACT, while carefully taking sociocultural factors into consideration. In addition, I'm a certified Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist, which enables me to offer an enhanced therapeutic experience to individuals suffering from chronic conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression. My primary focus, however, is relational, both inside the therapy room and outside of it, as I believe relationships to be at the heart of any human success story.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Being a therapist is as tremendous an honor as it is an intimate endeavor. The trust people have in my guiding them through troubled waters is humbling; it deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care. This ethos informs my therapeutic stance and guides me to be as authentic and genuine a therapist as my ethical values permit, allowing me to forge deep connections with those I have the privilege of working with. These connections turn into the soil on which new seedlings are planted, where they grow, where they thrive. These connections become the foundation of a new path ahead.

Specialties

Top specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Accepts cash

$225/session

Location

Offers in-person in 5175 East Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804

Virtual

, 2 ratings
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.