Julie Ekman

Julie Ekman is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 29 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, family conflict, self-esteem struggles, career uncertainty, and major life changes. Julie also supports those dealing with chronic pain, illness, and the search for life purpose.

She trained with 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 as a school social worker and family therapist, including 26 years working with middle school students. That background informs a practical, down-to-earth style.

In sessions she draws on strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral techniques. That means conversations often include identifying small, workable steps, building skills to manage symptoms, and spotting resources a person already has. Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented rather than purely abstract.

Julie pays attention to everyday obstacles like communication problems, guilt, isolation, workplace stress, and relationship separation. She helps people parse what matters now and what can change. Work on life goals or career questions is paced to fit what each person can try between sessions.

If someone is wondering whether therapy could help with midlife shifts, panic attacks, or regaining confidence, Julie helps map out realistic next steps. To begin, people choose the online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

How Julie’s approaches translate to online sessions

Julie draws on strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral ideas. Strengths-based work highlights practical abilities a person already uses and asks how to apply them to current problems. Solution-focused techniques focus on small next steps and what changes would look like in daily life. Cognitive behavioral methods look at patterns of thought and behavior and teach skills to manage anxiety, panic, or low mood.

Finding the right mix of those approaches is part of the process. Julie works collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person's goals and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress and needs become clearer. Sessions are meant to be interactive; she helps set concrete tasks and checks in on how those efforts are going.

Confirm the specific session formats before booking, since the biography does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into workdays or family routines, reduce travel, and allow shorter check-ins when time is tight. They can also let someone continue work after a move within the same state. Talk with Julie during the matching steps to determine what session length and rhythm will fit current life demands.