Therapist profile
Julie Ekman, LCSW
Licensed clinical social worker - Family and life concerns
Continue with JulieAbout
- Stress and anxiety
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Communication problems
About Julie
Julie Ekman is an IL LCSW 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. She focuses on stress, anxiety, family concerns, self-esteem, career issues, and coping with life changes. Julie’s background includes long experience as a family therapist and as a school social worker working with middle school students for 26 years.
Julie draws on strengths-based and solution-focused methods alongside cognitive behavioral techniques. In practical terms this means she helps people identify what is working, set small goals, and try doable changes between meetings. Conversations tend to be direct and oriented toward daily life and relationships at home and at work.
She also supports people facing chronic pain, illness, and disability, and those dealing with divorce and separation or unresolved guilt and shame. Julie will talk through communication problems and control issues and help with feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and social anxiety. Her work includes addressing workplace stress and questions about life purpose and midlife transitions.
Sessions typically look at immediate problems and build concrete skills for coping. Julie encourages short, practical steps that fit into a busy family life. She works with adults who need help managing difficult emotions and practical relationship strains.
Julie practices from Illinois and holds the LCSW credential. Sessions are conducted in English. If you want to proceed, confirm the current session options before booking and follow the site's process to schedule an initial meeting.
How sessions work
How evidence-based methods translate to online sessions
Julie’s work is informed by evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. Cognitive behavioral techniques look at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teach skills for managing anxiety, panic, and unhelpful thinking. Strengths-based work identifies a person’s existing resources and builds on them to solve problems and boost confidence.Solution-focused methods concentrate on clear, achievable goals and steps you can try between meetings. These techniques are useful for resolving communication problems, improving coping with life changes, and addressing workplace stress. Together these approaches aim to produce small, measurable shifts rather than abstract plans.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that match their goals and daily life. That may mean trying different methods early on and adjusting based on what helps the most.
The original biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm available session types before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and make it easier to attend during a work break or between family responsibilities. Ask about format options when you schedule to learn what will work best for your situation.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
29+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, family concerns, self-esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include chronic pain, communication issues, and divorce or separation.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses strengths-based and solution-focused methods combined with cognitive behavioral techniques. The approach emphasizes practical skills, small goals, and concrete steps between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 29 years of experience in social work, including 26 years working in middle schools and experience as a family therapist.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LCSW credential and practices in Illinois. She also holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts in School Leadership.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify exact session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on your selected location.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That starts the matching and booking process.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.