LCSW-C, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
My name is Julianne Toy, and I am a licensed therapist with a strong foundation in both education and social work. I earned my Master’s in Education from Concordia University of Portland in 2015, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University in 2018. Having training in both fields has been invaluable — it allows me to be creative and flexible in my approach, integrating educational strategies with therapeutic interventions to enhance understanding, growth, and lasting change. I have worked with individuals across the lifespan — from early childhood through older adulthood — and in a wide variety of settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, jails, courts, community agencies, and offices. I also have extensive experience providing teletherapy in several formats, ensuring accessible and personalized care for clients wherever they are. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a case manager and volunteered for many years with at-risk youth and individuals with developmental disabilities. I also served as a crisis therapist, offering brief interventions and support to individuals at imminent risk. Over the course of my seven years as a therapist, I have provided both individual and group counseling, helping clients navigate a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. In recent years, my work has focused on private practice therapy with individuals and couples. Through this work, I have deepened my expertise and integrated several evidence-based therapeutic models to help clients improve their mental health, strengthen their relationships, and build more fulfilling lives. I currently work primarily with adolescents and adults, guiding them toward greater self-awareness, resilience, and well-being.
During our first session, we will get to know each other. You will have time to ask any questions you have and I will explain more about my therapy process. I will take time to get to know you as a person rather than a set of problems. We will go through your background and history and your presenting concern as well, and you will have time to tell me what you want to get from therapy.
As a therapist, I approach my work with a deep belief in the power of collaboration and partnership. I see therapy as a shared journey — one where my clients and I work together to explore challenges, uncover strengths, and create meaningful change. I don’t view myself as the expert on my clients’ lives; rather, I see us as partners, combining my professional knowledge with their lived experience to co-create growth and healing. Kindness is central to how I practice. I strive to provide a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to be authentic and vulnerable. I believe that compassion — both toward oneself and from others — is essential for real, lasting change. I also bring a sense of humor to my sessions. Laughter can be healing, grounding, and humanizing, and I find that it helps build connection and reminds us that even in difficult moments, lightness and resilience are possible. Encouraging self-advocacy is another key part of my approach. I aim to empower clients to find their voice, make choices aligned with their values, and take ownership of their growth. My role is to support, guide, and celebrate their efforts as they build confidence and autonomy. Overall, I believe that therapy works best when it’s collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and real — a space where both therapist and client show up as genuine humans, working together toward healing and change.
My ideal client is someone who wants to learn about themselves and is willing to work WITH me in and out of sessions to make their lives better.
We will utilize values in session, cognitive diffusion skills, and mindfulness techniques. The use of ACT metaphors will help inform interventions and educate clients about their challenges.
Clients will learn about the distorted thinking styles they currently use and skills to combat them. Homework will help reinforce skills between sessions.
I use a variety of different therapy models to suit each individual client because therapy is not one size fits all.
Clients will learn skills and practice exposures in session and in between sessions to reduce negative coping (compulsions).