Who We Are

Marvin Gaye's "What's going on" was the anthem in my childhood home. Besides being my parent's generational hymn, it embodies my reasons for pairing my academic, professional, and personal experiences to teach people how to fight the negative thoughts and emotions that bully them. 

 

Being raised in a middle-class African American neighborhood in Washington, DC, when it was nicknamed "the murder capital of the world," and attending majority White parochial schools influenced my unique understanding, compassion, and love for all people. After graduating from Morgan State University with a bachelor's degree in Communications, my first job was on Capitol Hill as Scheduler for California Congressman Ronald V. Dellums. I was the gatekeeper. I learned to take verbal abuse from constituents, lobbyists, and other hoi polloi with a smile. While discussing his schedule, he would also discuss the plight of Americans and the World. He did most of the talking. I did the listening and wondered, "What's going on?" 

 

After my stint on the Hill, I opened several hair salons, which I eventually closed to care for my mother during her prolonged battle with brain tumors. While I daily trekked to different health facilities, I noticed a continuing pattern; whether it was the salons, The Hill, or my role as primary caregiver, the underlying theme I saw was stress, anxiety, and depression not being adequately dealt with. 

 

I worked at an upper-middle-class parochial school and an inner-city school. Again, I saw how the burden of challenges overwhelmed students and parents, leaving both parties stressed and anxious. I traveled to China as a member of Pepperdine's doctoral delegation and presented research I conducted on Children In Grief. Far from America, I observed and wondered, "What's going on."

 

Amid my grief, depression, and unresolved childhood trauma, a therapist asked me to list what makes me happy. I had no clue. I pondered and pondered. What a shame, I thought; all I could focus on was my negative thoughts and emotions, forgetting what brings me joy. Again I wondered, "What's going on."

 

Feeling pathetic for being unable to answer such a simple question, I started my quest to find joy. I peered back to my childhood to try and recall glimpses of joy. Slowly but surely, I added things daily to my happy list. I jotted down little things like reading a good book, playing with pets, spending time with kids, the water (pool, beach, ocean), warm weather, learning new things, and helping people through tough times.

 

I looked at that list forever. I pasted it on the wall to remind myself of the things that once bought me joy. Based on the list, I aimed to formulate a new normal for myself. The majority of those things on the list led me to Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology. I decided the first few years of my new normal should consist of me studying on the beach and learning how to help people struggling to maintain mental balance. I sold my house in DC and moved across the country to pursue my dreams and my joyous new normal.

 

That's when my negative thoughts and emotions started to bully me big time. Jab by jab, every reason why I would fail tried to knock me out: You have a learning disorder, school isn't your thing, you don't know but a handful of people in LA, You have a lovely home and neighbors and are safe here, you just passed the Praxis exam to become a school counselor. 

 

My bullies would continue: Change is scary, Isolating is safer, the people there will disappoint you, and it's just too risky.

​

My response was: "Bring it, bullies."

 

My personal, academic, and professional experiences taught me how to fight bullies. I embraced my challenges and conquered them with determination and goals. Change is complex and requires work, but as motivational speaker Les Brown says, It's possible.

 

My raison d'etre is to use my communication, school counseling, psychology, and organizational leadership skills to enlighten masses of people with different perspectives and equip them with tools to become the best versions of themselves. I encourage my clients to keep fighting and never give up. I inspire people to understand and believe that: "No weapon formed against thee shall prosper" (King James Bible, 1769/2022, Isaiah 54:17). 

 

If negativity constantly bombards you, join our mental health revolution and learn how to fight your bullies. We can change the world by putting on our oxygen masks and saving ourselves first.

​

​

​

 

Dr. Julie is not a counselor; she is a coach. She is not a therapist; she is a behavioral health group facilitator. Her training programs teach you how to fight, conquer, and destroy your bullies (negative thoughts and emotions). Dr. Julie lives in Los Angeles, California, where her behavioral support groups are in high demand. Her clients include:

​

• Safe Haven Recovery- Beverly Hills, CA

• Faith Recovery- Beverly Hills, CA

• Cali Recovery- Sherman Oaks, CA

• Satori Health-  Sherman Oaks, CA

• Silicon Beach Treatment Center- Los Angeles, CA

​

In her spare time, she enjoys California beaches, gardening, and sailing.

​

​

​

​