Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Reed
Hi Julia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first discovered my passion for psychology in an introductory class and was immediately fascinated by understanding why people do what they do. That curiosity led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Right after college, I began working at a psychiatric residential hospital for children, where I realized I wanted to deepen my knowledge of how to help people. That decision led me back to school to earn my Master of Social Work, launching my career as a clinical social worker and therapist.
For over a decade, I worked in community-based mental health, but I eventually made the leap into private practice. I knew I wanted to provide therapy in a way that truly facilitated deep healing rather than feeling constrained by agency work. That’s when I founded my practice, Bright Awakenings Counseling, with the mission of Healing the Past to Brighten the Future. I became a Certified EMDR therapist and was profoundly moved by the transformational power of this modality. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR offers a real and lasting path to healing past trauma, and I feel incredibly honored to guide people through that process.
As I continued my work in private practice, I realized that while some people need deep trauma healing, others are simply looking for ways to thrive in their lives. That realization led me to step into coaching, where I could support women who don’t necessarily need therapy but want to break free from perfectionism and people-pleasing to create a life of love, peace, and joy. Coaching also allows me to integrate my own personal experiences, something I cannot do as a therapist, to connect with and guide women on their journeys.
Today, I balance both worlds—continuing my work as an EMDR therapist through Bright Awakenings Counseling while also expanding my coaching business, Cherishing Self. My coaching work empowers women to Be Courageous. Be Gentle. Be You, through 1:1 coaching, and I am in the process of launching my signature program, Find and Honor Your Inner Voice, as an on-demand guide to living a life of love and peace. Additionally, I am writing two workbooks—one focused on Guilt-Free Self-Care and another on Letting Go to Find Your Power.
My journey has been one of growth, discovery, and transformation, both professionally and personally. Whether through therapy or coaching, my mission remains the same—to help others find healing, clarity, and a deep sense of fulfillment in their lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, stepping into private practice has been an incredibly smooth and fulfilling transition. I love the flexibility it provides and the ability to truly focus on the work that makes the biggest impact. However, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is determining whether to accept insurance. On one hand, I want my services to remain accessible to those who need them, but on the other, I have to ensure that I can sustain my practice and continue offering high-quality care. It’s been a delicate balance, and I’m still navigating the best way to meet both my clients’ needs and my own.
When it comes to coaching, the transition has been more of a learning curve—particularly in marketing my services and getting the word out. Coaching is a different world from therapy in terms of outreach, and I’m still in the early stages of finding my rhythm. While it’s been challenging at times, I’m excited about the journey ahead. Every step brings new insights, and I’m committed to learning and refining my approach so I can reach the women who will benefit most from my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business, Cherishing Self, is a life coaching practice dedicated to helping high-achieving, deeply caring women break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overwhelm so they can lead lives filled with love, peace, and joy. I work with women who are always putting others first—whether in their families, careers, or communities—and help them reconnect with their own needs without guilt.
What sets Cherishing Self apart is that my coaching is deeply informed by my background as a trauma therapist. I understand the emotional patterns that keep women feeling stuck, and I bring both professional expertise and personal experience into my work. Unlike traditional self-care advice that often feels superficial or unrealistic, my approach is grounded in real transformation—helping women find and honor their inner voice so they can set boundaries, say no without guilt, and reclaim their time for what truly matters.
Currently, I offer 1:1 coaching and am in the process of launching my signature on-demand program, Find and Honor Your Inner Voice, designed to help women step into a life of clarity, confidence, and self-trust. I’ve also written a guilt-free self-care workbook, and another focused on Letting Go to Find Your Power is on the way.
More than anything, I want women to know that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. And they don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
My brand’s motto is: Be Courageous. Be Gentle. Be You. That’s what Cherishing Self is all about—helping women step into their most authentic, fulfilled selves.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Trust in yourself and your vision. Not everyone will agree with your ideas or opinions, but the people who need to hear your message will find you and connect with you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cherishingself
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551847887322
Image Credits
For the photos of me, Emma Bellantoni is the photographer. I created the quote and logo images.
