Online, Serving Lafayette, Walnut Creek, The San Francisco Bay Area, and All of California
Meet Your Counselor ⇨
Family dynamics can seem impossible to manage, particularly when it comes to a child's disrespectful behavior in public or a teen who has withdrawn into their room, seemingly forever.
If it is all feeling hopeless and you are seeking effective strategies to restore harmony, know that you are not alone.
Julie Weigel, LMFT,
An experienced therapist with a focus on family counseling and parenting.
I am a counselor that is rooted in family systems theory, child development, positive parenting techniques, addiction treatment, somatic therapy, and drama therapy.
I help individuals, couples, and families identify the underlying issues contributing to family conflict, and learn healthier patterns, greater self-awareness, and more respectful and clear communication.
Together, we will address your concerns, foster a sense of safety and respect within your home, and improve your child's behavior in public settings.
My goal in our counseling sessions is to help you create a respectful and collaborative environment where your family, or couple, can openly discuss their challenges and work toward practical solutions.
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As a counselor with 25 years supporting families like yours, and someone who has navigated and grown from my own challenging family dynamics, I understand the challenges you face and the desire for a more peaceful home environment.
I am here to help you restore peace and mutual respect. It is possible to empower your child to find their voice while ensuring that the parents continue to “guide the ship”. I can help you move toward a healthier, happier family dynamic together
I believe that every family is unique, and I tailor my methods to suit your family's specific circumstances and goals…always with an emphasis on strengths and positives.
In our sessions, we will work collaboratively to identify your parenting style, address any concerns, and develop practical strategies that fit your family's values and dynamics.
We will focus on qualities you want to develop and build on those positive qualities that are already present.
Whether you are facing issues like behavioral challenges, communication breakdowns, or the need for more effective discipline techniques, I'm here to provide guidance and support.
Experienced Therapist
Julie Weigel, LMFT has been working as a psychotherapist since 1997 and licensed as a marriage and family therapist since 2002. She received her master's degree in psychology, with an emphasis in drama therapy, from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Since that time, she has worked primarily in community mental health with children and families.
Allow me to introduce myself:
From 2002-2022, I provided therapy through Contra Costa County Children’s Mental Health. While there, I spent equal amounts of time in the schools, family’s homes, and in our clinic. I was exposed to every imaginable situation. I engaged families in family therapy and/or parenting sessions whenever possible. Collaboration with other providers was regular.
I have taught parenting for years, both in the clinic and in other settings. Some of my other areas of specialization have been coparenting counseling, divorced parenting education (I taught at Kids Turn, for divorcing families), couples counseling, trauma treatment, and substance abuse treatment.
I am passionate about teaching parents reflective listening skills and other positive parenting techniques. I teach with humility, patience, clarity, and simplicity and am particularly experienced at working with parents of children who have special needs or emotional/behavioral problems. I have supported trans youth and their families quite often. I have also supported families after the death or illness of a parent. I served as a consultant for paraprofessionals who worked with children through the Rainbow Program in the San Ramon School District for years.
Although my private practice is now strictly online, I don’t let that get in my way. I have a relaxed and playful demeanor, experience in drama and play therapy, and invite clients to move around freely. My practice is in the evenings and I am available to serve clients anywhere in the state of California.
During my 25 plus years of professional experience, I have had the privilege of counseling countless families, guiding them through the intricate dynamics of parenting, communication, and emotional growth.
In my 20s, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area after being raised in the midwest. I hold an M.A. in psychology, with an emphasis in drama therapy, from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Having done years of my own personal growth and therapy, I am prepared to be fearless as I accompany you to the emotional depths to which you might need to go.
Drama Therapy
My training toward becoming a marriage and family therapist (someone who specializes in helping individuals, families, and couples resolve emotional, psychological, and relational conflicts) was entirely based in the use of drama therapy methods. Therefore, I hold a unique background that allows me to effectively integrate creative techniques into my practice.
Because of this unique blend of training, the counseling I provide is not only more engaging, but also deeply impactful. With my practice now strictly online, I have brought with me all the play and theory that lies at the heart of drama therapy to help adolescents, children, parents, and families resolve conflict and heal from trauma in their relationships.
My personal and professional background
In 2015, I went to Nepal after the devastating earthquakes they experienced and volunteered to provide three days of training in attuned listening skills to both professionals and para-professional, Nepali-speaking volunteers, as they prepared to support the earthquake survivors impacted by trauma and loss.
