(she/her)
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Julia Gunderson specializes in trauma and mood disorders (anxiety and depression). Julia earned her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at Phillips Graduate Institute (2007). The focus of her work for many years has been in the community mental health setting and private practice. Since 2007 Julia has worked in various non-profit settings working with children and adolescents. She has many years of experience working with various types of populations in the Los Angeles area. She has been giving back and educating many about mental health and destigmatizing the need for mental health, especially in the Latino culture. Julia is nationally certified in TF- CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and certified in PCIT (Parent Child Interactive Therapy) as well as a PCIT trainer. Trained in YSBP (Youth with Sexual Behavioral Problems), FFT (Family Functional Therapy), and CBITS (Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in the School) models. Julia was born and raised in Los Angeles and has a private practice specializing in child and adult trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is bilingual in Spanish and strives to provide her clients with acceptance and attention so that they will no longer feel alone with their problems. Julia is committed to helping clients feel better and make changes easily and has the skills and passion to assist them.
The first session involves doing the initial session and thn beginning therapy. I like to jump in and get to the heart of the issue.
Specifically, I have had training in how to work with trauma-related cases, crisis management, grief work, family therapy (including marital issues), ways to improve the parent-child relationship and adolescent issues. I also do evaluations or mental status exams for immigration status, custody and other legal issues.
Individuals 18 and up preferred. Some teenagers might be ok.
With compassion and listening one is able to process truama and decrease anxiety and depression.
Positive reinforcement is necessary to help move forward and using strength based techniques can help you grow as a person.