Julie Messer, MA, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT #83220
Julie was born and raised in Ojai and Ventura, CA and grew up an avid nature lover. She moved to San Luis Obispo in 2002 to attend Cal Poly and received a B.S. in Ecology and Systematic Biology with a focus on Wildlife Biology. After studying in Costa Rica and Kauai, Julie worked in the environmental consulting field but soon realized that she missed the human connection. She decided to pursue a M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Over the course of her studies, Julie became acutely aware of how disconnected many people had become from their natural environment and the impact of this disconnection on the psyche.
During her internships at RISE (a non profit working with domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse) and Central Coast Treatment Center, Julie employed a humanistic, experiential, and depth focused approach to therapy. Over the past 8 years, she has gained extensive experience working with women, men, adolescents and children suffering from Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Eating Disorders. As an individual and group therapist Julie combines a variety of techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Experiential, Narrative, as well as Art therapies, and incorporates Psychoeduacation to help her clients find their true self and live from a place of authenticity.
So why choose me you ask?
I enjoy what I do and am passionate about my work and my clients!I like to use a style that fits you. Every person is unique and different and I meet you where you are.
I like to laugh (unlike the stereotypical image of a stern counselor you might have) and know that humor heals.
I believe you already hold all the answers but you just need a little guidance in implementing them.
I am not afraid to enable you to challenge your negative patterns!
I’ve been in therapy too, so get I the process from both sides (could you imagine a therapist who’s never had therapy?)
I am here to give you compassionate, judgement free, time and space to work through whatever issues are preventing you from actually living and loving a full life!