Julie Ekman, LCSW

Julie Ekman is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 29 years of professional experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University. The LCSW credential indicates she is trained and licensed to provide clinical social work and psychotherapy services.

Her background includes roles as a family therapist and a school social worker, with 26 years focused on supporting middle school students and their families. Julie uses a holistic, client-centered approach that integrates strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral techniques. These methods are applied to help clients identify resources, build practical coping strategies, and work toward measurable goals.

Julie’s practice addresses a broad range of concerns including stress and anxiety, family conflict, motivation and self-esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes. She also works with issues such as chronic pain, illness and disability, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, life purpose and midlife challenges, panic attacks, self-love, social anxiety, women’s issues, and workplace problems.

Committed to treating each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, Julie collaborates with clients to create individualized treatment plans. She supports clients through the courage it takes to begin therapy and the ongoing work of building a more fulfilling life.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care

Julie often draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and develop practical skills for managing stress, anxiety, and panic symptoms. This approach focuses on changing patterns of thinking and behavior to improve day-to-day functioning.

She also uses solution-focused and strengths-based methods that emphasize clients' existing resources and small, achievable steps toward desired changes. These approaches are well suited to addressing family conflicts, motivation and self-esteem, career challenges, and adjustments after major life events.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Julie collaborates with each person to determine which techniques best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Julie is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from home, work, or other settings and to maintain continuity of care while balancing daily responsibilities.