Hi, I’m Julia! (she/her)

Julia McGrath, LMFT

I help people build self-compassion and create meaningful life changes.

You’re here because you’re fed up with feeling disconnected from the life you really want. It feels like you’re barely hanging on with feelings of conflict, loneliness, sadness, emptiness, anxiety, or low-self esteem. You might think of yourself as an introvert at heart or struggle with comparing yourself to others. You may find big changes difficult, like getting married or starting a family. You’re not even sure if you want what other’s want, but you feel exhausted by the pressure. You’re sick and tired of feeling this way and are ready to make changes and break away from old ways of being.

I understand where you are and I want you to know that you can live a life that feels connected, authentic and joyful. I grew up as a confused, shy kid. I developed a harsh inner critic that was hard to shake. I know what it is like to feel without support, unsatisfied and anxious about the past and future. I’ve had many moments of asking myself “why?” I have sat with difficult questions in my personal life and throughout my training as a therapist. 

What you can expect from me:

Working together, you will find a curious and empathic listening ear and an authentic, down-to-earth partner on your therapy goals. I work through a trauma-informed, compassionate and social justice-informed lens.  My practice is affirming of all intersecting identities and I work collaboratively with clients to make sense of the bigger picture. As a marriage and family therapist by training, I am especially interested in how your experiences growing up in your family and your many points of identity have shaped you. In my work, I draw from Buddhist psychology, acceptance and commitment therapy, trauma-informed CBT, emotion focused therapy, narrative therapy and compassion focused therapies to help you move toward a more fulfilling life.

What I believe you can do:

I believe therapy can help you to know yourself deeply. You can face difficult emotions in a new way. I believe that you have innate wisdom within you. I know you can take steps today towards developing healthy relationships with yourself and others. You can have a meaningful, satisfying and well balanced life. You are capable of feeling connected to yourself with a sense of kindness and compassion.

I know reaching out can be difficult and I promise to meet you where you are. I am available to answer any questions, to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, or to quickly schedule our first session.

I’m so happy you are here and thinking about therapy. You’ve already started your process. I look forward to hearing from you!

I created Aligned Life Therapy to help people heal, find peace and live a life they love. I emphasize self compassion as a foundation of my practice because I personally know the transformational power of radical kindness. I am passionate about giving you the non-judgemental support you need, laughing together along the way, and helping to point out your strengths to live a life aligned with what really matters.

Qualifications:

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MF001318) in Pennsylvania. I am a certified Self-Compassion Informed Psychotherapist through the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. I am currently working towards my Perinatal Mental Health Certification through Postpartum Support International. I’m a life-long learner and continually pursue advanced training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Compassion Focused Therapy among others.