Julia KAVANAGH (She/HER)
BA,bsw
Registered Social Worker
Education and Training
- Bachelor of Arts, First Class Honors (Sociology)
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Master of Counselling (nearing completion)
Professional Development
- Hakomi Method Level 1
- Emotion-Focused Therapy for Indiiduals Level 1
- 80-hour Foundational Play Therapy Training
- Over 500 hours of yoga teacher training
MEET JULIA
Hi, I'm Julia, and I'm a Registered Social Worker.
I work with adults and children four and up. In my work with adults, I offer a gentle, relational, and body-oriented approach to healing, grounded in the humanistic tradition. This means I believe that meaningful change happens through connection, self-awareness, and the unfolding of your own inner wisdom. I approach therapy with deep respect for your lived experience and autonomy, and I’m committed to walking alongside you with compassion and curiosity as you explore your inner world.
My work with adults is primarily informed by the Hakomi Method, a mindfulness-based and experiential approach to psychotherapy. Hakomi is grounded in the understanding that many of our emotional struggles and behavioral patterns are shaped by unconscious beliefs formed early in life—often held in the body rather than in words. In Hakomi, we slow down together using guided mindfulness to gently notice how your body, emotions, and thoughts interact in the present moment. This can allow for the softening of emotional wounds, the emergence of new insights, and the integration of healing experiences that support growth and self-trust.
I also work with children using a Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) approach, a research-supported and developmentally appropriate form of therapy designed specifically for children. CCPT is based on the understanding that play is a child’s natural language—and that through play, children can express thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to articulate with words.
Rather than analyzing or directing your child’s play, I offer a safe, accepting space where your child can lead the process at their own pace. Within this supportive relationship, children naturally explore and make sense of their inner world, process difficult experiences, and build emotional resilience. CCPT has been shown in numerous studies to be effective for children dealing with anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation challenges, behavioural struggles, grief, and family transitions. This approach supports your child in developing self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and healthy ways of expressing emotions, all within a relationship that is warm, respectful, and non-judgmental. As a parent, you can feel confident that CCPT is not only evidence-based but also deeply respectful of your child’s individuality, emotional safety, and developmental needs.
Whether you are an adult longing for greater authenticity and emotional freedom or the parent of a child who is struggling, I provide a warm and grounded therapeutic presence. My goal is to meet each person with openness and respect, and to support the natural unfolding of healing from within.
If you're curious about this kind of work, I invite you to reach out. I would be honoured to support you or your child on your healing journey.
Fees: $160 - $250 per session