About

Julie has over fifteen years of experience working in the field of mental health with young adults and adults who present with a wide range of concerns. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology at Queen's University in 2007 and later pursued a Master of Social Work with a clinical focus and a particular interest in developmental trauma at Wilfrid Laurier University, which she completed in 2009. Since completing her formal education Julie has remained actively engaged in research, teaching, and continuing education in order to keep her clinical knowledge current and responsive to emerging practices in psychotherapy.

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Julie began her career as a forensic social worker in Calgary, Alberta where she provided individual counselling to adolescents involved in the criminal justice system as mandated by probation. Through this work she developed the ability to form strong and trusting relationships with individuals who often presented as guarded, mistrustful, or resistant to treatment. This experience strengthened her ability to work compassionately with people who had experienced trauma, attachment disruptions, and significant behavioural challenges.

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As part of her work in forensics Julie conducted comprehensive mental health assessments for the Provincial Court of Alberta. These reports informed sentencing decisions for youth with the goal of supporting psychological rehabilitation and reintegration into society. She also developed an outpatient treatment program for high risk youth with the aim of reducing rates of reoffending. In 2013 Julie was selected to assist as a case coordinator for youth who received the Intensive Rehabilitative Custodial Sentence, a specialized sentence designed for high violent offenders that integrates psychological treatment with custodial supervision. Julie also served as a practicum supervisor for Master of Social Work students from the University of Calgary in 2010, 2014, and 2016.

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Julie also has a research background studying coping skills among patients awaiting organ transplant. She co authored a therapeutic manual for this population that has been published and adopted into standardized care for transplant patients in Alberta. She later published a research article evaluating depression and anxiety outcomes among patients enrolled in the coping skills program over a six year period. The research demonstrated significant reductions in depression and anxiety for participants. This treatment program is currently being adopted by transplant programs across North America.

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In 2018 Julie and her partner, Dr. Curran Sills, founded HomeDoc Visit, a home based health care service designed to improve access to medical care for adults over the age of sixty five in the Greater Hamilton Area. The service was created in response to the growing need for more accessible and equitable health care options for seniors.

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For the past several years Julie has focused on private practice, working with individuals navigating a wide range of life experiences. Many people seek therapy when they find themselves feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, navigating anxiety or depression, processing trauma or grief, or moving through significant life transitions. Others arrive with a quieter sense that something in their life feels unsettled and that it may be helpful to pause and explore it more carefully.

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Throughout her career Julie has approached psychotherapy with empathy, warmth, and curiosity. She believes that meaningful change often begins with a deeper understanding of one's internal world and the patterns that shape how we relate to ourselves and others. With over fifteen years of experience in mental health, Julie offers a thoughtful and attentive space where individuals can slow down, reflect, and begin to make sense of their experiences in new ways.

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Her goal is to help you develop greater awareness of the beliefs, emotional responses, and protective patterns that may be influencing your life, while also helping you recognize the resilience and strengths that already exist within you. When these pieces come into view, people often discover new possibilities for growth, connection, and psychological balance.

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