Julia Batalla, MA
Licensed in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
About Me
I am a Resident in Counseling serving clients virtually across Virginia and Washington, D.C. Supporting people through challenging times has always felt deeply meaningful to me. After more than a decade working in corporate communications, I decided to pursue a career in counseling, where I could make that desire to help others a central part of my work.
I work with a diverse range of clients who come to therapy for many different reasons, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and the challenges of navigating college and building a career. I’m also passionate about supporting people in all facets of parenthood, from infertility and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to the everyday challenges of raising children.
When I’m not in session with my clients, you can often find me reading, cooking, being in nature, and enjoying sports like tennis and figure skating. Above all, nothing grounds me more than spending time with my family and pets.
Experience & Training
I have a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University, where I was trained in psychodynamic theory as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care. My clinical experience has allowed me to work with individuals and couples facing a wide variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, perinatal mood disorders, trauma, and grief. My experience in various private practice settings has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and concerns, while also allowing me to develop a particular focus in women’s mental health.
In both my graduate and post-graduate studies, I have sought opportunities whenever possible to deepen my clinical understanding of perinatal mental health. This has included advanced coursework from Postpartum Support International and graduate research on the overlap of trauma and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Therapeutic Approach
In sessions with my clients, I like to blend the deeper work of approaches like Psychodynamic Therapy with skills-oriented approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I seek to help people gain insight into why they do what they do and understand the patterns that may be keeping them stuck, while also developing practical skills and strategies for creating meaningful change in their lives. I have also found that a strengths-based approach helps clients recognize the resources they already have and build on them as they work toward lasting change.
Ultimately, the most important part of therapy for me is the relationship I build with each client. While clinical expertise and evidence-based approaches are important, I believe that therapy works best when clients feel genuinely known and understood. I aim to bring my authentic personality into each session and create a space that feels warm, safe, collaborative, and supportive.
Focus Areas & Expertise
I work with adult women across the lifespan, with a special focus on:
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
● Grief & Loss
● Trauma
● Life Transitions
● Career Development
● Relationship Concerns
Education
● M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northwestern University, 2025
● B.A. in History and Business Institutions, Northwestern University, 2009
Licensure
● Licensed Resident in Counseling, Virginia — License #0704018706
● Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, Washington D.C. — License #LGPC200012576
Additional Trainings & Memberships
● Advanced Perinatal Psychotherapy Training – PSI
● Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care – PSI
● Trauma-Focused CBT – Medical University of South Carolina
● Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) – Zero Suicide Institute
● Psychological First Aid – The National Child Traumatic Stress Network