Julie Elwell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work in 2005. She has been working in the Social Services field for over 15 years, providing counseling and case management services to individuals of diverse backgrounds, needs, and ages.
Julie began her career in the 1990’s working with adolescent survivors of trauma at a residential treatment facility, and as an instructor at an outdoor leadership school for adjudicated youth. When she relocated to the Washington DC area, Julie began working with homeless women and their children in a family shelter. The culmination of these experiences led her to graduate school to pursue her MSW. While at VCU, Julie completed her clinical practicum at both the DC Rape Crisis Center and the Center for Posttraumatic Disorders at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington. These experiences fueled her interest in individual and group psychotherapy, as well as the different treatment modalities from which to work with.
In addition to her work at the Growth and Recovery Center, Julie also works with adults with chronic mental illness in a residential setting.
Julie uses a dynamic approach that starts where the client is, and builds on individuals’ the strengths and resilience factors, as it is equally important to look at what skills and coping mechanisms have worked in addition to addressing whatever obstacles or challenges a person is facing when entering treatment.
Areas of specialization include trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, stress management, crisis and symptom management, and relationship issues.
The desire for change is an essential component to therapy, and when one works through their emotions they can begin to create a different life than what they experienced in the past.