Question 1

How do your lived experiences shape your approach to therapy?

Accepted Answer

The world can be loud, harsh, cruel and demanding. In response to that, I offer honesty and a space to exhale. This is strongly shaped by my own lived experiences: growing up in a mixed-status Mexican immigrant household, navigating life as a neurodivergent person, and being the first in my family to obtain higher education. I know what it’s like to feel unseen, to be asked to adapt in ways that cost pieces of yourself. Because of that, I move slowly, listen closely, and work collaboratively to build a space that honors your culture, identity, and the full complexity of who you are. Together, we can explore and reclaim the parts of you that have learned to hide.

Question 2

What values guide your work with therapy participants?

Accepted Answer

I’m guided by compassion, collaboration, and sustainability. I believe healing happens in relationship, at a pace that feels safe. I try to honor your self-determination and your values, while attending to both your immediate needs and long-term well-being. In a world where we are often taught to shame ourselves into improving, I believe in loving ourselves to get there instead.

Question 3

How do you support therapy participants navigating identity-based or systemic stressors?

Accepted Answer

In our space, I will try to name systemic harm and identity-based stressors as valid, serious, and real. I see how we often regard hypervigilance, distrust, shame as personal flaws, but I believe it's part of a bigger system. Together, through parts-based language we will explore the messages our communities or family may have been given about who they “should” be, (and in turn who you "should" be), and help you differentiate your own voice from these messages. I offer space for grief, anger, and reclaiming your voice. I also draw from my own understanding of navigating multiple cultural worlds and aim to affirm each person’s internal wisdom and resilience.

Question 4

What are 2 to 3 concerns you often support therapy participants with?

Accepted Answer

I often support people navigating intergenerational trauma, religious trauma, heightened emotional intensity, and relationship difficulties, especially for those who’ve felt "too much" or “not enough.” I help participants unpack these patterns with compassion, explore their roots as well as what keeps them going, and learn skills to relate to themselves and others with more clarity.

Question 5

What therapy modalities or tools do you use most often, and why?

Accepted Answer

I often integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore the many parts of us that show up in response to pain, as well as CBT and somatic mindfulness to build practical tools for managing distress. I also use Brainspotting to support deeper trauma work by accessing the body’s stored experiences through eye positioning. These approaches may help to build understanding, regulation, and self-compassion.

Question 6

Do you integrate any somatic, creative, or culturally-rooted practices in your work?

Accepted Answer

I often lean on our bodies most naturally accessible forms of grounding, our senses. I guide participants through breath work and somatic mindfulness to help reconnect with their nervous system. Depending on the person, we might also incorporate gentle movement/stretching, walk-and-talk sessions, drawing, or sensory grounding tools like essential oils. These practices are always collaborative and optional, introduced with curiosity. I’m still growing in this area and open to co-creating practices that feel meaningful,  safe, and accessible for the folks I work with.

Question 7

What do you hope people feel when reading your bio?

Accepted Answer

I hope people feel seen, welcomed, and safe to be themselves, most especially during the messy or unsure moments. I want them to know that therapy can be warm, curious, and collaborative.

Question 8

What do therapy participants often say they appreciate about working with you?

Accepted Answer

Participants have shared that they feel truly listened to and that our co-created space feels collaborative and grounded. They appreciate that I take follow up on what matters to them, and remember their interests, and life goals. Participants describe my presence as calm, gentle, and curious, even when navigating complex or painful topics.

Question 9

Do you offer any specialized services?

Accepted Answer

I offer Brainspotting for those seeking deeper-trauma support. My hope is that before engaging in this, we first build safety, explore how emotions show up in your body, and work at a pace that feels grounded and attuned to you.

Question 10

Is there anything you want people to know about you that may not show up in your credentials?

Accepted Answer

My work is shaped not just by training and education, but by lived experience. I learned from a young age the pressure of trying to carry a family forward, of losing connection to cultural roots, and of learning to reclaim joy and rest. My own healing and community connections remind me that therapy isn’t about “fixing”. It’s about creating space where we can be more fully ourselves.

Question 11

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Do these support your work as a therapist? If so, how?

Accepted Answer

Outside of therapy, you’ll probably find me playing guitar, going on walks, or sipping on a really good cup of coffee (or tea). I have a deep love for thrifting, watching horror movies, and going to heavy metal or alt concerts to recharge. Road trips with my partner are my favorite kind of adventure, and nothing beats visiting my parents and eating my mom’s home-cooked food. These little joys keep me grounded, curious, and connected.

Hello, I'm Julia

Education