PuttingFamilyFirst

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JT Portrait of Julie Tirella
Online therapist

Julie Tirella

Compassionate therapist focused on practical change

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
18 years
Licensed in
Florida
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Julie

Julie Tirella is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a warm, client-centered stance to help people make practical changes. She focuses on reducing stress and anxiety, easing mood challenges like depression and bipolar disorder, and addressing addiction and relationship concerns. Julie speaks plainly and aims to create a calm space where feelings and worries can be named and talked through.

She has 18 years of experience in social work and brings that background to each session.

Background and approach

Julie uses cognitive behavioral therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes. She also draws on motivational interviewing to support readiness for change and psychodynamic ideas to look at patterns that repeat over time. Her practice includes attention to family and parenting issues as part of broader life challenges.

She helps people with grief, trauma, self-esteem, intimacy matters, and problems that involve control, codependency, or communication. Julie also works with mood and impulse-related concerns such as ADHD, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and other mood disorders. Sessions are offered in English and delivered online through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Julie holds a Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential - LCSW, FL LCSW sw21616 - and she guides people toward clear, achievable steps. Starting therapy often begins with a small decision. Julie aims to make that first step straightforward and practical, helping people set realistic goals and try tools that fit their everyday life.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Julie often combines client-centered listening with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and motivational interviewing. Client-centered therapy means the therapist listens closely and follows the person’s priorities, creating space to talk through feelings and choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on noticing thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety and low mood. Motivational interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change and builds momentum toward goals.

Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. Julie will talk with clients about their goals, try approaches that fit those goals, and adjust as progress and preferences become clearer. This gives people room to try something practical while keeping a supportive, empathic tone.

Online therapy with video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging adds flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. Video and phone let conversations feel most like an in-person visit, while chat and messaging can be useful for short check-ins or when writing feels easier. These options make it simpler to keep consistent work on stress, parenting concerns, mood, addiction recovery, and relationship patterns without extra travel or time off work.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Julie commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, and a range of relationship and self-esteem concerns. Family and parenting challenges, grief, trauma, and eating or intimacy-related issues are also listed focus areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Julie uses a client-centered approach that emphasizes listening and collaboration. She pairs that with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and motivational interviewing to help people set goals and try practical changes.
What is her professional background?
Julie has 18 years of experience in social work and has supported clients across stress, mood, addiction, and relationship concerns. That experience informs how she tailors interventions to each person.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed in Florida as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, listed as FL LCSW sw21616.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can be done via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How are fees and payment handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How does someone begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Next step

Talk to Julie

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