About Dr. Julia Smith, LPCC, NCC

With a Doctorate in Counseling from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, I work in the field of Mental Health as a Psychotherapist and Counselor Educator. I provide services for individual adults in a way that supports your sense of self and true intimacy.

I have expertise in working with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition, I work with relationship concerns, grief and loss, adjustment issues, and transitions through your advancing years. My clinical background that contributes to my knowledge and skills covers community counseling, private practice, residential treatment, intensive outpatient hospitalization, university, and military settings.

In the field of education, I teach as Adjunct Faculty in Counseling at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. My teaching history includes serving on university faculties in the capacities of Assistant Professor of Counseling, and Visiting Lecturer. During my full time years in higher education, I launched qualitative research to explore autonomy amid conflicts in care when making choices. My research has continued to be a guiding force in my career journey. The results have provided insights, which include a better understanding of our feelings and needs in the decision-making process. Regardless of how aware we are of our choices, their impact shows up in our relationship with ourselves and the world. Because my research results offer insight into the importance of integrating personal needs and feelings into the process of choosing, I am writing a book to share my findings.

In my approach to therapy, I work with you to resolve your concerns in an empathic, nonjudgmental, and culturally sensitive climate. My psychodynamic orientation incorporates attachment and family systems thinking to address patterns and past experiences related to your concerns. I also apply cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies and my knowledge as a certified Mindfulness Informed Professional.