About Me: Approach and Values

I understand first-hand what it’s like to be a racial minority dealing with debilitating anxiety, intrusive PTSD symptoms, and intense grief as a result of gun violence. Therapy has impacted my life for the better as a client. As someone who hopes to be a mom in the future and values not just children as equals, but maternal mental health, I empathize with all that moms are internally and externally expected to carry.

As a licensed clinical social worker, I am personally and ethically aligned with some of the social work field’s most core values. In my therapy work, I operate under the belief that you are your own expert; I may be an expert in some areas of mental and emotional health, but you are the ultimate expert of yourself, your needs, and values. I believe that therapy should be collaborative and not hierarchal, because I can only do my best work as your therapist with your personal expertise.

I emphasize strengths-based approaches, focusing on your goals and inner resources that views you as more than capable of thriving despite adversity.

My approach to my work is also rooted in the understanding that your well-being and life experiences can’t be understood or changed without making space for your surrounding environments (i.e. socioeconomic, physical, political, personal relationships) and how they impact your day-to-day and wider life. Essentially, I get that how we are and how things happen in our life aren’t “just because” — they are intertwined with every facet of our lives.

So if you’re looking for a therapist who gets it, who is relatable but will still gently challenge patterns and what doesn’t align with your goals, I’m your girl.

Learn more about therapy with me

Juliana Collins, MSW, LCSW

Credentials

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in PA (CW022371) & NJ (44SC06295900)

Certified Prolonged Exposure Clinician & Consultant (2024) from Center for The Treatment and Study of Anxiety

Trained Birth Doula (2020) from DONA International

First Level of Traditional Usui Reiki Certified (2019) from Learn Reiki Philadelphia

Education

Bachelor of Social Work, Minor in Sociology | Temple University
Master of Social Work, Clinical Concentration | University of Pennsylvania

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We May Be A Good Therapy Fit If…

  • You are looking for or don’t mind seeing a fully virtual therapist. As long as you are located in PA or NJ at the time of our session, you’re good to go!

  • You want a therapist who also shows up as a real person — you’ll often see one of my 2 cats make an appearance during session, I’m usually in a cool t-shirt, and I let my tattoos show. I encourage you to show up to your sessions with me exactly as you are, whether that’s done up or the bonnet’s on. Either way, we can get work done.

  • You want to work with a therapist who is warm, authentic, and direct.

  • You are looking for a therapist that has expertise or specialization in areas like:

    • Being a woman, gender, or racial minority

    • Being a mom

    • Experiencing grief of all kinds, particularly related to maternal mental health and gun violence

    • Experiencing a traumatic event(s) at any point in your life and/or think you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

    • Struggling with any form of anxiety

Get Started
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A Little About Me Personally

  • I think it’s super important that therapists also go to therapy themselves — doesn’t have to be forever, but it’s important we have also done our due diligence to show up as clearly for our clients as possible! I love my therapist, and find it to be a necessary outlet at this point in my life. The opportunity to be your therapist is not a role that I take lightly. It’s an honor!

  • I live in New Orleans with my husband and 2 cats. We’ve created a cozy and loving life together!

  • I lived in Philadelphia directly after graduating high school until I moved to New Orleans, so almost 13 years. Philly is always home to me. GO BIRDS!!

  • Some things I love deeply: coffee (hot and iced), eating out, reality TV and I’m not ashamed, the pool or beach, reading, spending time with my loved ones, being around children because they are the best versions of ourselves that see everything from fresh eyes, and working out regularly for my own mental wellbeing. I love doing Orange Theory, kickboxing, yoga, and taking long walks.

  • I’m an eclectic Gemini; I can bounce between being very chatty and wanting to dance all night to Meg, or curling up on the couch with my phone on DND watching Bravo. It’s called ~balance~

Work With Me