Julianne Kivlin

Hi, Julie! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an MSW from the University of Saint Joseph and 5 years of experience spanning outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, emergency, and medical settings — which means very little surprises me, and nothing you share will be met with judgment. I provide virtual therapy to adults and couples in Connecticut and Massachusetts, specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, maternal mental health, relationship and attachment patterns, women's issues, and LGBTQIA+ identities. If you keep ending up in the same place no matter what you try — in relationships, at work, inside your own head — that's exactly the work I love doing.

My philosophy: a strong therapeutic relationship matters just as much as the techniques we use — and therapy should feel like a real conversation, not like you're being analyzed from across the room. I'm engaged and active in sessions, working to understand not just what you're feeling but the patterns, relationships, and beliefs keeping you stuck. I draw from CBT to challenge unhelpful thought patterns, Trauma-Focused CBT for healing from painful experiences, Emotion Focused Therapy for deeper relational work, mindfulness-based strategies for regulation, Motivational Interviewing when change feels complicated, and Strength-Based, Solution-Focused work to keep us moving forward. For couples, I use the Gottman Method and Solution-Focused Couples Therapy. And I want you to leave therapy with something useful — real coping strategies, better boundaries, clearer communication, and a stronger understanding of yourself.

Expect the first session to feel welcoming, conversational, and low-pressure. I'll spend time getting to know you — what brought you in, what has and hasn't helped before, and what you'd like to be different. You don't need a perfectly organized story or polished goals. I'll also explain how I work, so you can feel out whether my style is a good fit. Within the first few sessions, we'll usually have a clear picture of the patterns we want to tackle and practical goals to work toward — in a space that's safe, affirming, and honest.