Julia Small, LCSW-S

Qualifications

• BS-Education- Baylor University

• MS-Social Work- The University of Texas at Austin

• Trained in EMDR therapy (EMDRIA approved training with Rick Levinson, LCSW)

• Trained in Child Centered Play Therapy (UNT Center for Play Therapy)

Experience and Expertise

Throughout my career as a social worker and therapist, I have had a variety of experiences, including work with intimate partner relationships, child development, the parent-child relationship, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety and depression, perinatal mental health, foster care and adoption, caregivers of children with special healthcare needs, and life changes and transitions.

• My background in education, child development, and attachment allows me to offer helpful insight to parents, and provide specific guidance around bilding healthy relationships with their children- particularly during times of stress such as divorce, death, adding on to the family, or blending families.

• Having worked for several years with families of children with special needs, I’ve come to know the unique stressors- emotional, financial, medical, and otherwise- that families may be facing, and offer therapy based in compassion for their situation.

• With many years of experience working with first-time parents, and parents adding on to their families, I offer knowledge and understanding of the mental health needs associated with pregnancy and postpartum. I understand that adding on to your family impacts every aspect of your lives. Many parents feel relief in learning they are not alone in their experiences, and benefit from developing their own strengths during this time of transition.

• I use my knowledge of trauma and the brain to help my clients discover unforeseen ways their lives are being negatively impacted by trauma or distressing experiences. I offer specific ways of processing those experiences, and tools to manage any difficult emotions, thought patterns, or relationship issues they are experiencing.

• I offer an in-depth knowledge of healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. I help my clients understand and identify patterns in their own relationships, and empower them within those relationships. I am trained to offer some specific tools to help strengthen your relationship with your partner.

There is power in shared experiences

While working with people from a variety of backgrounds and situations, I have learned that there is both a shared pain and shared strength in being human. We all go through difficult periods of life where we experience overwhelming emotions, relationship challenges, grief, worry, or fear. And, I believe we all have the ability to experience hope, love, peace, and wholeness.

Growth and healing tend to happen within the context of relationship.  Within the context of a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, my desire is to help others access their own strengths and abilities to meet whatever goals and hopes they have for their lives. 

In my spare time…

In addition to being a therapist, I enjoy spending time with my husband, playing with my dog, running, hiking, yoga, music, reading, traveling, and attempting to cook and bake!