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Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.
— Mandy Hale
Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.
— Tori Amos
The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now to the fullest. Do what matters - Now.

About Julie fanning lcsw

I love helping people live their best life. 

I can help you figure out what your best life means to you.

It is easy to get caught up in self-doubt.  It is easy to spend a lot of time comparing ourselves to others and believe we are lacking. Everyone else seems to have it together.  It seems that everyone you meet has great relationships, is self-confident, a good parent, a great friend, and has it all together.  I can help you embrace yourself.

I can help you heal the broken spaces. 

Like you, I have my own broken places through which I’ve struggled.  Life isn’t easy.  Often, we have burdens that we have carried with us making our load heavy.  My life, experience, and education have taught me how to help you heal and cultivate hope.

I can help you realize that you are worthy and fight shame.

One of my strongest beliefs is that each of us is worthy of love and happy life.  Often, the voices of family, friends, and society eat away at our confidence and soul.

I offer non-judgment and a safe space.  

It can be scary starting therapy.  I am not a therapist who is looking down at you.  I want you to feel safe to share your story, your fears, your struggles, and feelings of shame.  I want to hear about your success and joys and your progress on your journey.

I look forward to building a relationship with you.   

I am a “what you see is what you get” type of therapist.  I am conversational and use humor.  I believe that through our relationship and the process of counseling change and healing occurs.

I am OK working with the tough stuff. 

Many of the individuals I work with have struggled with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.  I believe that your struggles don't have to be all there is to your life.  You can overcome and live fully. You can feel belonging and complete.  Personal experience has led me to love working with families who are struggling with a member diagnosed with a serious mental illness.

Off the Beaten Path. 

My hope is that I provide individuals who feel as if they don't quite fit into the norm find a safe haven by sharing their journey with me.
 

My Experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois and in West Virginia (LICSW).  I have a Doctor of Social Work from Capella University in 2021. I graduated from Aurora University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2003 and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Social Work from Iowa State University.

I have over 25 year’s experience, working with children, youth, and adults who experience a myriad of challenges. This includes crisis intervention, mental illness, relationships, trauma/PTSD, transitions, non-traditional relationships & situations, and grief & loss.   I’ve also worked in medical social work as a dialysis social worker.  I am a Certified Case Manager.  (CCM)

I have specific training in working with trauma.  This includes training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy.  All of my interventions are trauma-informed.

Member of the National Association of Social Workers.

 

Contact me today and let's start your healing journey.

Check out Julie’s resume by clicking above!