My name is Julie Williams, and I appreciate you taking the time to visit the website for my private counseling and psychotherapy practice in the Portland, Oregon, area.

If you’ve been in therapy before, you may know what a powerful, positive, life-altering process it can be …

Or maybe you’re still on the fence about seeing a therapist. If so, you likely feel as if you’ve tried just about EVERYTHING you can think of to create change … but nothing seems to work, at least not for long.

Perhaps you’re still searching for a therapist who feels like a good fit – someone who really understands what you’re feeling and going through and can truly help.

In any case, when we’re feeling overwhelmed, lost, stuck, or we’re hurting, it’s not always easy to think clearly and you may not know what questions to ask a prospective therapist. Well, I’d like to make that process as easy for you as possible.

So what should you ask when “interviewing” a therapist?

You definitely want to ask what age groups and issues a therapist works with, as well as what kind of education and training they’ve had and how long they’ve been practicing.

And of course, there are the logistical questions, such as how much the therapist charges and how long sessions last.

I’d also recommend asking whether or not the therapist has been in therapy themselves, as well as how they work and help clients heal and grow.

But the most important thing to consider is how comfortable and safe you feel with your therapist … because if you don’t feel safe and comfortable, you’ll find it next to impossible to do the deep, honest work required to heal and grow.

As for my answers to those questions …

• I work with adults of all ages, though most of my clients tend to be in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s.
• While I help clients better cope with and overcome anxiety and stress, relationship problems, mid-life issues and burnout, and career-related concerns, my specialty is helping people who feel stuck, lost, overwhelmed or just can’t seem to make the time for what they want, to better understand and connect with themselves and others, reclaim a sense of control, discover their purpose and passion, and live their lives to their fullest potential.
• I have a doctorate in psychology and have been in practice for more than 10 years.
• My fee is $250 per 45-minute therapy session.
• Yes, I’ve been in therapy myself, and I return whenever I need some extra help. Actually, I couldn’t imagine helping others do this work if I hadn’t already done it myself.
• As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I draw on a wide variety of clinical techniques – including insight, free association, working through painful memories and the dynamics that occur in the therapeutic relationship. The goal is to help clients like you uncover, explore, and change the unconscious perceptions, beliefs, defense mechanisms, and other internal tensions that are causing problems, so you can develop the inner strengths and resources necessary to create happier, healthier relationships and a more rewarding life.

In short, counseling and psychotherapy are about intentionally creating change by learning to let go of the perceptions, beliefs and behaviors that aren’t bringing you happiness … that, in fact, may be making you miserable.

Fortunately, if you’re reading this, that means you still have the hope and desire required to create the fulfilling relationships and life you know are possible. And counseling and psychotherapy CAN help.

I know …

I know what it’s like to wake up in the morning wondering, “What happened to my life?” (See my “About” page for more on that!)

I know what it’s like to feel like you have to “do it all.” But eventually, we reach a point where we’ve done EVERYTHING we can and realize we need some help … We all need some help at some time or other.

I’m a highly sensitive person who’s struggled with perfectionism, creating a healthy work/life balance, and learning to say “no” to others so I could say “Yes!” to myself.

It’s taken me a lot of work to overcome these obstacles and create a life I truly love. I know it’s possible. And I know I can help you create the same thing for yourself!

So, if you’re ready to do the work, take a deeper journey and explore what you really need to create a fulfilling and rewarding life, I encourage you to contact me by phone at 503-961-9200 or by email at julie@juliewilliamspsyd.com with any questions you have or to make an appointment.