This week, we’re excited to introduce Jee Ye “Julia” Moon, LMSW, a therapist who specializes in helping clients navigate the impact of suppressed trauma — often the kind carried quietly due to cultural or family expectations. Julia works with adults experiencing burnout, depression, anxiety, and the physical symptoms that can emerge when unexpressed emotions linger beneath the surface.
This week’s spotlight explores her approach to care, perspective on the healing process, and the ways she finds balance after her workday.
Specialty & Approach to Therapy
Julia approaches therapy through a strong cultural lens,where she strives to understand the environment that shapes her clients. Julia recognizes how deeply family systems and cultural frameworks shape the way people view themselves and the world around them.
From that foundation, she collaborates with her patients to define and prioritize the goals that matter most in their lives. Using evidence-based skills and interventions, she helps clients move toward those goals while creating space to untangle and explore the roots of their challenges.
Advice to Those Seeking Therapy
Julia acknowledges that starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially for people from cultures or families where mental health isn’t openly discussed. “Taking that first step can be daunting,” she says. “But your mental health is a vital part of your overall health — and therapy can be a space to nurture it.”
Her advice to new clients is simple: be open and curious. “The most important thing is to be as vulnerable and honest as you can be during sessions.”
When it comes to finding the right provider, Julia emphasizes the importance of trust and cultural sensitivity. “Your provider should be nonjudgmental, respectful, and open to your cultural context,” she says. While it can be helpful to share a cultural background with your therapist, she notes that it isn’t always necessary for forming a strong patient-provider match. “What matters most is how you feel in the room. Do you feel warm, safe, and heard? Trust your gut! That sense of fit is key.”
Finding Balance Through Self-Care
Outside of her clinical work, Julia finds grounding through nature and community. She often takes long walks with her dog, Dooly, along the river. “There’s just something about looking out over the water that really calms the mind,” she says. On weekends, she loves to host dinner parties for friends or dive into big baking projects — finding joy in sharing food and connection.
