Julie Matija
LCPC
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of therapy experience working with adults, teens, children and families. My practice is based on the belief that we all share similar qualities but also that our own individual experiences are shaped by our unique familial, cultural and social histories. In my work with clients, I find it is important to address one’s current struggles within the context of his or her specific life story.
I enjoy working with a wide spectrum of concerns including anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, anger, parenting, relationship difficulties, career contentment and identity. I find that most clients often have multiple concerns when they come in for counseling and I am happy to meet everyone where they are and gradually explore and address each issue as needed.
After agreeing on goals, my treatment approach is individualized to each client and each presenting concern. This approach will often utilize elements of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy while also exploring the individual meaning to each client’s personal experiences and culture.
I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University, a Master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. In addition to my years of work in the counseling field, I have also worked as an educator in an early childhood Montessori classroom where I have taught on Mindfulness in a school setting.
