Julia McMullen Kharkar
Julia McMullen Kharkar
(she/her)
Frequently rebooked
New clients continue care with this provider
Hi there! I'm glad you're here. Starting therapy takes a lot of vulnerability, and finding the right fit is vital. I take a collaborative, genuine, and client-centered approach to encourage your autonomy and help you feel empowered in therapy. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 11 years of experience in the mental health field. I have experience helping clients with a wide variety of mental health challenges, but specialize in trauma-focused treatment and supporting clients during big life transitions such as going to college or becoming a parent, along with depression and anxiety.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session, I emphasize creating a sense of safety and getting to know each other. I know it takes time to feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable, so I give us time to build trust and build our therapeutic relationship and don't expect us to dive into everything at once. I will encourage us to explore and define our specific goals for treatment so we can make a treatment plan (and if you're not sure yet, we can explore that more together!) If you have previous experiences in therapy, I will ask you more about what has been most and least helpful in order for me to suggest specific treatment approaches.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I have worked in a wide variety of settings (including nonprofits/community mental health centers, healthcare organizations, university settings, domestic violence shelters, and more). This enables me to feel comfortable working with clients from diverse backgrounds and tailoring the appropriate treatment plan to each individual, rather than a strict "one size fits all" approach. I use a warm, gentle, and non-judgmental style to create a sense of safety and build trust as we get to know each other. I greatly value a client-centered and collaborative approach and want you to be in the driver's seat, and will often ask for feedback about our goals together and what approaches and techniques may or may not resonate with you. I value open-mindedness, acceptance, and collaboration in my work.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I have experience in a variety of settings with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with many presenting problems, and am passionate about supporting adults managing PTSD and processing disturbing past events, as well as going through life transitions, dealing with self-esteem issues, depression, and anxiety. In particular, I specialize in and am passionate about working with college and graduate students. I also have experience and enjoy working with individuals during the pregnancy/postpartum period.
About Julia McMullen Kharkar
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Fully bookedMy treatment methods
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly researched and effective treatment to reduce disturbance associated with traumatic or painful memories and impact of current triggers. We will use eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while accessing disturbing memories in a controlled and contained way. I have found EMDR as an effective alternative to traditional talk therapy or in conjunction with other modalities and in some cases can reduce PTSD symptoms more efficiently than talk therapy alone.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT uses mindfulness and acceptance of difficult or painful thoughts and emotions. If you're feeling lost or confused due to life stressors, will explore your values to help get perspective and greater clarity and empowerment to find a direction to move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a popular and approachable therapy method with decades of research supporting its efficacy in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and many other presenting problems. We will use concrete skills to practice reframing thought patterns, identifying core beliefs, and making a plan for specific behavioral changes. Noticing unhelpful core beliefs can assist with improving our insight into how our thoughts and behaviors are connected. We might use worksheets to practice these skills in session or as homework. Clients often find CBT helpful when looking for a skills-based and present-focused treatment with tangible techniques to practice each session.
Attachment-based
According to attachment theory, our relationships with caregivers in early childhood have a great impact on our adult attachment styles, or how we relate to partners, friends, or other relationships. By exploring and understanding our early experiences and attachment style, we can build greater insight into current relationships, make changes to create security and express our needs, and work toward building a more secure attachment.
Interpersonal
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a short-term psychotherapy that focuses on how our relationships and social interactions can impact mental health and well-being. It helps individuals manage the effects of current interpersonal issues, such as grief, role disputes, or transitions, on their mental health.