My name is Julie Borden and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Los Angeles, California and work with clients statewide via telehealth. My main areas of focus include anxiety, ADHD, grief and loss, trauma, stress management, parenting challenges, depression, and communication in relationships.
My approach
I approach therapy and human development in general from a psychodynamic perspective. Within that framework, I have an eclectic approach, using elements of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, trauma-informed care, and Internal Family Systems.
My focus
My style and approach are a good fit for adults of all ages who are facing both internal and external challenges. I enjoy helping people with social anxiety build confidence and face the world with greater ease, strategizing with my ADHD clients to improve their focus and conquer overwhelm, and providing guidance to those rebuilding their lives after losses and transitions.
My communication style
I approach clients with curiosity and encourage them to approach their challenges in the same way. There tends to be laughter in my sessions. Finding the humor in situations, without minimizing their importance, allows people to access their more hopeful sides, which they may have lost track of.
My journey to mental healthcare
My mom is a great listener, so I grew up knowing that simply talking something out can bring relief and hope even if nothing has outwardly changed about the situation. I think I was in sixth grade when I first learned that listening to people could be an actual job. I remember my interest being sparked. Over the following years, I considered different careers but ultimately came back to that same spark.
My goals for you
I'm a big believer in the ideas of "progress, not perfection," and "baby steps." I think people often underestimate the big results that can come from the smallest shifts. I encourage my clients to experiment with new behaviors and to recognize the confidence that comes with each step, however small. One success doing something you previously feared can cause a ripple effect and reveal a greater range of possibilities than you ever knew were there before, and that is where real growth happens.
My first session with you
I invite clients to share their stories by launching in at whatever point makes sense to them, acknowledging that it's normal and expected to jump around a bit in the telling because each life has so many threads. I assure them that I will ask questions when I need clarity, and that we will fill in any blanks over time. This allows them to start with their most pressing issues and expand from there.