About Us: Meet Liz Julius, LSW

Liz Julius, LSW

I am a Licensed Social Worker and often thought of as a reliable support system for those in my orbit. My clients experience me as calm, genuine, open-minded, and professional, which assists in creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. I consider it a privilege to work with you through your best and worst days. I hope to earn your trust and foster a therapeutic relationship that is warm, comfortable, and transparent.

How I Help…

Collaboration and self-determination are core values that I use to guide my work, including assisting you in creating an individualized plan of care that aligns with your therapeutic goals. I utilize skills from evidence-based therapies including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Due to my interest in trauma resolution therapies, I have also received training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for adults and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children and adolescents.

I have a particular passion for working with adolescents and emerging adults, as they are often experiencing significant amounts of change in a relatively short period. While many of these changes can be positive, such as gaining more independence and developing their individual interests, it can also be distressing and difficult to process at times. I enjoy working with those in this age range to develop effective coping skills and helpful perspectives to bring into adulthood. 

 I am also very interested in working with those struggling with the aftermath of trauma and/or issues with substance use. While there are plenty of people who experience a traumatic event and are able to recover on their own, many struggle with the pressure to “move on” while still experiencing upsetting memories, thoughts, and emotions long after. It is important to me to work with the latter to assist in processing, overcoming, and thriving after these experiences. I am also keenly aware of the substance use issues that can arise alongside struggles with mental health. I hope to assist you in understanding the motivations behind your substance use, increasing your confidence in reducing or abstaining from substance use, and creating an effective relapse prevention plan to sustain long-term recovery.

My Background…

I grew up in Freeport, IL (home of the Freeport Pretzels!) before moving to Milwaukee, WI, for my undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I returned to UW-Milwaukee for my Master of Social Work, where I also participated in the Youth Oriented Substance Use and Trauma Counseling fellowship. As a therapist, I have worked in residential treatment with women with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders as well as day treatment with adolescents from ages 10 to 17 years old. My experiences working in these levels of care have reinforced my resolve to center trauma-informed care and relapse prevention in my practice.

On a more personal note…

Outside of work, I’m likely to be going outside on a run, making a mess in my kitchen while trying out a new recipe, or sifting through the racks of a thrift store. I enjoy spending time with my friends or my energetic orange cat, Shiv. As a newcomer to Chicago, I plan to spend as much time exploring the city as I can!