- Strengths-based
- Solution-focused
- Cognitive behavioral
About Julie
Julie Ekman is an Illinois-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 29 years of experience. She combines school social work and family therapy background to help people facing stress, anxiety, family conflict, and life transitions.
Julie holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University. Much of her career was spent working with middle school students, which shaped her practical, problem-focused style. She draws on strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral techniques in her work.
Sessions are conversational and goal oriented. She helps people clarify what matters to them, spot patterns that fuel guilt or shame, and try small changes that feel doable. Discussions often include practical steps for coping with pain, illness, workplace strain, or parenting concerns.
Julie pays attention to communication patterns and control issues that keep people stuck. She also supports people managing divorce, separation, and midlife questions. Forgiveness and self-love are topics she will sit with when they are part of a client’s concerns.
Her approach is collaborative and direct. Together with a client she builds a plan that focuses on specific goals and skills. People can expect clear suggestions, exercises to practice between sessions, and review of what is and isn’t working.
How evidence-based techniques translate to online sessions
Julie draws on cognitive behavioral ideas that help identify unhelpful thoughts and test new reactions. This method is useful for anxiety, panic, and intrusive guilt or shame by turning broad feelings into specific thoughts and actions.She also uses strengths-based and solution-focused techniques that concentrate on resources and practical steps. These approaches look for what already works for someone and build brief, doable changes to reduce overwhelm and improve confidence.
Choosing the right approach is part of the collaboration. Julie will discuss goals, preferences, and day-to-day constraints to decide which techniques to emphasize. She works with clients to monitor progress and adjust methods as needed rather than assuming a single path.
The therapist's profile does not list the exact online session formats available, so confirm current options before booking. In general, remote sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, medical appointments, or caregiving. Phone or video sessions let people join from different locations and can shorten travel time or allow a quick check-in on a busy day.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
29+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, family conflict, self-esteem, career problems, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include guilt and shame, chronic pain, communication problems, and isolation.
How does she approach guilt and shame?
She uses a practical, problem-focused style that looks at patterns and small changes. Cognitive behavioral ideas and solution-focused steps are used to reduce overwhelming thoughts and to try new behaviors.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She has 29 years of social work experience, including 26 years working with middle school students and roles as a family therapist and school social worker.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and practices from that state.
Does she work in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats does she offer?
The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.