Find Real Healing From Trauma, Fear & Anxiety

Rise Strong

Integrative, Results-Focused Trauma, Anxiety, & Phobia Therapy for Adults

Virtual Evidenced-Based Therapy in Marin County and Throughout California

Imagine thriving, not just surviving.

Maybe you’ve tried therapy before and haven’t experienced the results you hoped for. You’ve come to a point where enough is enough—the weight of unhealed trauma and overwhelming anxiety is becoming too much.

Maybe this is your first time, and simply need some relief from the stress…Wherever you are in your journey, I will meet you there. I’m here to help you process all the experiences and thoughts that are hurting you and holding you back. I will help you be the best version of you again.

In my practice I've met many brave souls like you, who carry the heavy burdens of trauma, crippling fear, and anxiety. Like you, they experience:

  • Living in fear of certain triggers, constantly haunted by distressing flashbacks, and avoiding everyday activities that may prompt them.

  • Isolation that casts shadows on your connections, leaving relationships strained or lost.

  • In a state of constant distress, feeling disconnected from both yourself and your community.

  • In survival mode, a cycle that keeps looping, making it challenging to see a path forward.

  • Having a constant narrative of “I’m not good enough” in your head.

You’re not alone.

There is a pathway forward.

I’m here to guide you towards it.

Together, we will rediscover a life beyond just surviving.

Heal from your past.

Rise Resilient.

What’s Possible For You

Therapy for Anxiety

With therapy for anxiety, you can:

  • Stop constantly questioning your choices, second-guessing every little thing. You can feel secure in your thoughts and decision-making.

  • Stop being on high alert, overwhelmed, and tense. You can become at peace and relaxed as you go through your days.

  • Stop avoiding things you may enjoy out of fear of panic attacks. You can hang out with loved ones and having incredible experiences.

Therapy for Trauma

With therapy for trauma, you can:

  • Stop lying awake at night, overwhelmed by memories of your past. You can have restful nights, without being haunted by memories.

  • Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. you can be excited for the positive things to come.

  • Stop living a constant state of fight, freeze, or flee when stressed or triggered. You can live free from fear and relaxed, knowing you’re safe and in good hands.

Therapy LGBTQIA2S + and Gender-Affirming Care

With therapy for LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care, you can:

  • Stop feeling trapped in a body that doesn’t quite fit. You can feel comfortable in your skin.

  • Stop feeling exhausted by trying to conform to everyone’s expectations. You can live to the beat of your own drum, confidently walking through the world as your own person.

  • Stop constantly worrying that being yourself means not being safe. You can feel secure that being yourself is not only safe but essential for your well-being.

With virtual trauma, anxiety & phobia therapy, you can rejoin the world, doing what brings you joy, all while feeling safe and secure!

About Julie Lenhardt, LCSW

Online Trauma, Anxiety, & Phobia Therapist in California


Hi, I’m Julie (she/her)

I can help you feel like yourself again.

I'm a California-based Licensed Clinical Social Worker and your partner in navigating life's challenges. I'm not your average cardigan-wearing, trauma and anxiety therapist (though I own a few); I'm a wife, mom, and straight shooter. In our sessions, you’ll find my sleeves rolled up, bold cup of coffee in hand, ready to tackle the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that no one knows you’re battling with. I hold an empathetic virtual space, primed for deep exploration, where we challenge those negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors so you may heal from the past and thrive in the future.

Other things you may want to know:

We all have complex identities. Like you, I have many parts. I am a female-identifying member of the LGBTQ+ community with lived experience as a single mother by choice, a partner, a business owner, a corporate executive, a coach, a teacher, a foster parent, and so on. I bring my lived experience to sessions, but more importantly, I bring the understanding that establishing a genuine connection and appreciating individual complexities is the foundation of effective therapy.

I’m a firm believer that therapy should be flexible enough to meet you wherever you are. This might mean process, skill-building, stabilizing, or a combination. I work hard to ensure each session brings you a little (or a lot) closer to your goals and offers something tangible to help you move a little easier through your life.

You can expect a customized therapeutic approach based on a variety of evidence-based modalities. I use a combination of the following: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Experiencing, Trauma-informed therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Graduated Exposure Therapy for phobias, and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). I work from an anti-oppression model and maintain an awareness of how systemic issues impact you as an individual.

Open Space Therapy Solutions, inspired by the beautiful, wild spaces in this world, is a safe and open space to heal and find your joy again.

I’ll help you find peace of mind and get your groove back using a custom blend of these approaches:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialized approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and alleviate the associated emotional distress. During sessions, clients focus on traumatic memories while the therapist facilitates bilateral stimulation, often through guided eye movements. This process enables the brain to reprocess and integrate the traumatic experiences, promoting emotional healing and adaptive resolution.

  • Also called systematic desensitization, this approach is a safe and effective means of conquering your biggest fears. The goal of this therapy is to change the way you respond to the objects, people, or situations that trigger feelings of fear and anxiety. There are three main steps that I will guide you through:

    1. Deep muscle relaxation techniques

    2. Creating a fear hierarchy (also called a fear ladder)

    3. Choosing the most attainable task/goal and slowly and courageously working through the fear ladder until the objects or experiences no longer hold you in the grip of fear.

  • Polyvagal Theory explores the connection between the autonomic nervous system and trauma responses. This approach emphasizes the role of the vagus nerve in regulating social engagement, fight-or-flight, and shutdown responses. Applying Polyvagal Theory in therapy helps individuals navigate and heal from trauma by promoting self-regulation and enhancing the sense of safety.

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) delves into the intricate interplay between emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, offering a comprehensive framework for addressing various mental health challenges. At its core, DBT integrates acceptance and change strategies, encouraging individuals to acknowledge and validate their emotions while simultaneously cultivating skills to modify maladaptive patterns.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured and goal-oriented approach to therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying and challenging negative or distorted thought patterns, CBT helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and behaviors. Through practical techniques and exercises, CBT aims to alleviate symptoms of various mental health conditions by promoting cognitive restructuring and behavior modification.

  • LGBTQIA+ and Gender-Affirming Care in therapy provide a safe and supportive space for individuals exploring gender identity and sexual orientation. I focus on understanding and affirming diverse identities, addressing challenges unique to the LGBTQIA+ community. The goal is to foster a sense of acceptance, resilience, and mental well-being while navigating societal and personal dynamics related to gender and sexual orientation.

  • As a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner, I use a holistic approach to well-being, combining conventional and complementary therapies to address the diverse needs of individuals. By integrating treatments from multiple modalities such as psychotherapy, nutrition, mindfulness, and lifestyle interventions, I aim to promote mental, emotional, and physical health. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, empowering individuals to achieve balance and resilience through personalized and comprehensive care.

  • Mindfulness is a practice rooted in ancient traditions, emphasizing present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance. It involves cultivating a conscious and intentional focus on thoughts, emotions, sensations, and surroundings. Through mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and daily mindfulness practices, you can develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while enhancing overall well-being and quality of life.

Ready to heal from anxiety and trauma?

Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Schedule a free consult

    On this 15-minutes consultation call for trauma and anxiety therapy services, we will answer any questions you may have, I share a little more about my therapeutic process, and make sure we are a good fit for online therapy.

  2. Set up your first online therapy appointment

    An initial intake session involves a comprehensive exploration of your concerns, using evidence-based assessments with the purpose of gathering detailed information about you that helps me understand what treatments would support us in getting you results. We also collaboratively set goals and establish mutual expectations for the therapeutic journey. This data-informed approach ensures a tailored and effective course of treatment right from the start.

  3. Heal, grow, and find joy

    In each session, we will work to make your goals possible, breaking them into digestible steps. I will use a variety of evidence-based approaches to help you heal, including offering a safe, open space, expertise, feedback, reflection, skills, resources, and more. I’m here to support you every step of the way as you heal, grow and find joy and strength again.

Busy schedule? I get it.

I offer convenient online therapy in California, with early morning availability for the busy parent or professional.

All residents of California need is a private space, a device with access to audio and video, and a strong internet connection.

No extra commute. No waiting rooms. Just expert support from wherever you are.

Find a comfy spot and let’s get started!