Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Small.
Hi Julia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a child, I was sensitive to the needs and wellbeing of others and sought ways to be a helper. Some challenging early life experiences deepened my empathy for others and furthered my desire to care for those in painful situations, maybe as a way to make meaning of my own experiences. I started out working in education but realized pretty quickly that I wanted to support the emotional needs of my students rather than focus on teaching in the classroom. That desire led to getting my masters in social work at UT Austin. After that, I worked with children and families through the Early Childhood Intervention program in Waco, then later at Any Baby Can here in Austin. About a year ago branched out and began my own private practice as a psychotherapist, which allows for greater flexibility in my work with clients.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I didn’t necessarily plan for things to go the way they did, but looking back I can see how each step led to the next. I’ve tried my best to tune in to what I’m passionate about and remain open to opportunity. A challenge I have faced a few times was finding the courage to take the next step in my career when I knew it was time to do so. I’m drawn to modalities of therapy that often require longer-term work with clients and really lend themselves to private practice rather than a state-run agency or non-profit model. Yet starting a business can feel quite daunting and involves many skills that I didn’t have. I am grateful for support from friends, family, and colleagues that helped me along the way. The therapist community here in Austin is incredibly supportive, and surprisingly, I have not felt alone, despite working independently.
As you know, we’re big fans of Copia Counseling, PLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Much of my work is with children dealing with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, or behavioral challenges. I practice play therapy, which uses play as the child’s medium for communicating, processing, growing, and healing. I also really value working with parents and caregivers, as these are generally the most important relationships a child has.
Many of my adult clients are new parents or parents of young children. My experience has helped me develop an understanding of the psychological and emotional stressors that parents face. I know that stage of life can be extremely isolating, and it is so meaningful to help parents feel supported and find their strengths as they strive to love their children well and develop a new sense of self.
I also have training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), where I guide clients through processing traumatic or distressing life experiences. This approach is different from regular talk therapy, but I have found it to be a helpful tool when someone is feeling stuck- when they know why they are having a hard time but can’t seem to move past it.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
When it comes to working with children and families, being open-minded and collaborative is really important to the process. I try to be open-minded about what might be going on for each child and what they need and incorporate parents as much as possible. Even though I’m the therapist and have expertise, parents really know their children better than anyone.
When it comes to my therapy practice, I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without a willingness to be vulnerable. Starting your own business has a myriad of risks, and asking for help from others can feel vulnerable as well. I try to be patient and flexible with the process.
Contact Info:
- Email: julia@copiacounseling.com
- Website: www.copiacounseling.com
Image Credits
Johanna Martinez Photography (for headshot photo)
