Julie Ekman, LCSW

Julie Ekman is a licensed clinical social worker with 29 years of experience in social work. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University. Julie speaks English and practices in Illinois.

Julie draws on a holistic, client-centered approach. She commonly uses strengths-based work, solution-focused techniques, and cognitive behavioral methods to help people tackle everyday problems. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps clients can try between meetings.

Her practice often addresses stress, anxiety, and the practical strain of family conflict. She helps people rebuild motivation, self-esteem, and confidence when career challenges, life changes, or a midlife crisis feel overwhelming. Julie also works with concerns such as chronic pain or illness, communication problems, and isolation and loneliness.

With a long background in schools and family work, Julie brings an understanding of life's routines and transitions. She aims to meet people where they are and build plans that fit their goals and daily life. Conversations are collaborative and geared toward manageable change.

Julie emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in sessions. She encourages small experiments that can shift patterns over time and supports clients as they try new ways of coping and relating.

Practical approaches for online counseling and life shifts

Julie uses clear, evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral work and solution-focused strategies. Cognitive behavioral methods look at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and help people test new behaviors to reduce anxiety or unhelpful patterns. Solution-focused work emphasizes setting small, achievable goals and building on what already works to make steady progress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Julie will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and daily routine. That means trying things, checking what helps, and adjusting plans together over time.

The original biography does not specify session formats, so please confirm available online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people continue work during life transitions or when managing health concerns, and the therapist will discuss practical scheduling and format choices when arranging sessions.