Dr. Julie Stroemel

Biography

Education & Work Experience

Before pursuing my career as a Christian counselor, I received my Bachelors of Science and Nursing from the University of Kansas in 1990 and spent several years as a registered nurse, working in critical care, dialysis, and long-term care. Following my call to Christian counseling, I completed my Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Seattle Professional School of Psychology at Argosy University; after graduating, I continued to earn my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology also at Seattle Professional School of Psychology at Argosy University; gradua. I completed my pre-doctoral internship through the Everett Clinic at Providence Regional Cancer Partnership, and have been counseling professionally for 20 years.

As a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Medical Director in a health care setting, I work with individuals and families across the lifespan. I am a certified group leader in the Stanford Model of Living Well with Chronic Conditions, and Living Well with Diabetes, earned a Certificate in Primary Care Behavioral Health through the University of Massachusett, completed post-doctoral training in neuropsychology at The Everett Clinic, have provided training for primary care physicians in diagnosis and management of ADHD, have lead dementia diagnosis and caregiver support groups, completed a mini-fellowship in Behavioral Sleep Medicine through University of Pennsylvania, and completed training in The Science of Well Being and Master Resiliency Training through University of Pennsylvania.

My Call to Christian Counseling

In my previous work as a nurse, I spent many years helping people as they struggled to make sense of life’s greatest obstacles and disappointments. After these experiences of helping persons in extreme circumstances of life, I realized that God was calling me to use my training and energy in the ministry of Christian counseling and counseling in a health care setting.  The transition from nursing to counseling has been very natural, and for the past 20 years I have been privileged to come alongside people, supporting them at every stage of their lives, encouraging and empowering them, and serving humbly as Christ modeled for us.

More About Me

I am the proud mom of two wonderful adult children, both kind and loving people who are pursuing their own callings as an engineer and as a medical student. Time off is filled with family, friends, garden projects and home renovations.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coaching
• Codependency
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss
• Women’s Issues

Anxiety

Though we often think of anxiety as something we can control, sometimes anxiety becomes unmanageable. Clinical anxiety can be crippling. It not only leaves you feeling chronically stressed, but can also cause feelings of exhaustion, depression, and isolation. If you struggle with issues related to anxiety and stress, you do not have to suffer alone. I work one-on-one with clients to help them discover how to manage their anxiety so they can live a happy and healthy life. My goal is to help you learn to live a life free of guilt and shame as you come to understand the complexities and special nuances God created you with. Using the latest research and evidence-based techniques, we will discern the sources of your anxiety and work on breaking the vicious cycle of anxious thoughts.

Behavioral Issues

Behavioral issues encompass a broad spectrum of behaviors. Some people come to counseling to get a handle on self-destructive behaviors like addiction or anger while others seek help for Attention Deficit Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Behavior. Regardless of the behavior issue you are dealing with, if it is impairing your quality of life in any way, then it is something for which you should seek help. I use evidence based methods together with spiritual principles to help you identify, address, and overcome behavioral issues. Working together, you and I create a plan of action that allows you to implement small changes and lean into a new way of responding.

Couples

Relationships are not always easy, especially intimate relationships. They take practice, understanding and effort. And still there may be conflict. But conflict does not have to equal pain. In couples counseling, I work with clients to empower them how to resolve conflicts in healthy ways that strengthen rather than weaken their relationship. Putting the Lord at the center of their relationship will allow couples to have a fortified foundation as they deepen their relationship with each other and God. Together we will identify practical steps couples can take to foster support and empathy within the relationship. We will also explore individual and family purposes and discover ways that those callings can be nurtured to fruition.

Depression

Depression is often misunderstood. Feelings of sadness or hopelessness that persist and affect your ability to function are not normal and can be debilitating. Depression is a clinical illness and my role is to help you understand the root cause of your depression and develop a plan to address the symptoms so that you can move forward to healing. Combining evidence based techniques and faith-based direction, I work with you to identify the source of the negative emotions. Together we will develop steps you can take to identify triggers and to manage the depressive symptoms in a healthy, life affirming way. My goal is to help you see yourself through new eyes of grace and mercy so that you are able to recognize your true value, your worth and your life purpose.

Family Counseling

Today’s families look quite different from the families of decades past. Modern families face challenges unique to today’s multi-faceted families. Whether you are struggling with a blended family, raising special needs children, elder-care, financial stresses or any other family issue, the road can be bumpy. I’m here to help you navigate that road. Understanding your past expectations and future fears helps us identify the present state of your family unit. In Family Therapy, each member of the family is given an opportunity to express their concerns and needs in a safe, empathetic environment free of judgement. By taking direction from God, you can begin to learn the true roles He has set out for you in your individual families. Working with a biblical foundation and therapeutic strategies I will help you redefine your family constellation and help you bring order and purpose back to your family.

Individual Counseling

Individual Counseling is an opportunity for you to focus solely on you and your goals. Many people seek help for themselves because they cannot manage other people, places and things in their lives. Although you cannot change anything outside of yourself, you can change your reaction to those things by changing yourself from the inside out. In individual counseling I help you learn what is causing your distress, as well as skills for healthy communication and connection, self-care, work-life balance, finding (and becoming) safe people, and building resiliency and strength. Together we will identify practical next-steps for becoming a healthier you.

Personal & Spiritual Development

Understanding who you are as an individual and who you are in God is key to being the healthiest version of you.   As we explore the nature of God, and the unique life He has planned for you, we may also explore questions, crises of faith, living one’s values in a crazy world, loving as Christ did when not everyone in our lives may have been loving.

Trauma

One person’s trauma may be very different from another person’s traumatic experience. Regardless of the event or circumstances that surround the trauma, the effects can be severely damaging and impairing. Trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, stress, and as a result, you may turn to negative behaviors as a way to cope or stuff the effects of the trauma. We will employ evidence-based approaches to identify triggers and the impacts on your well-being, and develop a plan to move forward into recovery and thriving once more.

Women’s Issues

Christian Counseling provides women with a safe and compassionate space to process the concerns that weigh on hearts. Over the past several years, I have counseled women seeking direction in all areas of life, from careers to relationships and from parenting to life transitions. I have a heart for helping women live into the fullness of God’s love and for helping them understand His purpose for the season of life in which they find themselves. I partner with women through life transitions such as parenthood, empty nesting, marriage and loss of parents to help them discern God’s voice in their lives and make healthy, informed choices. Keeping Christ at the center of it all, we look inside to find the treasures God has given you and explore how He wants you to use them as you take the next step on the journey God has set out for you.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute and 45-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Mill Creek – Monday and Saturday
• Online (WA only) – Monday and Saturday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals and Couples looking to pursue counseling with me. For new patients without insurance, your initial appointment is a risk free initial session which means that you will not be billed for the session unless you decide to continue. For patients choosing to use insurance, the initial session will be billed to your insurance so please come prepared with your insurance card and any copay you may have.

Insurance: As a senior licensed clinical psychologist insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services as an Out of Network Provider. For neuropsychological testing I am in network with First Choice, Premera and Regence. Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a receipt for services rendered, I will provide either a printed or digital receipt for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A 2.7% swipe fee, or 3.7% + $0.15 key in fee, will be added for credit card payments.