Julie

Julie Gruca, MA

Licensed Professional Counselor

“I think of myself as a collaborator and supporter with clients. I am gentle, yet direct with my feedback. I am passionate about creating spaces free of judgment, where you feel like you can express yourself without restraint. Everyone possesses their own strengths, and those will come in handy as we navigate your goals”

About Me

I offer a truly collaborative space where you are supported to express yourself freely. My approach is gentle, yet I provide direct feedback to help you uncover insights. Together, we will tap into your inherent strengths. This collaborative space is ideal for those ready to express themselves without restraint.

Approach

I balance softness with straightforward feedback as we clarify what matters to you and shape achievable steps toward those aims. Sessions in English take place in my Chicago office or online, paced to fit adults and older adults and adjusted if life feels hectic. I tend to blend curiosity about patterns with short, practical experiments between meetings—simple reflections, doable skills, and regular check-ins that make progress visible. This steady, pragmatic way of working often suits people facing transitions, burnout, or persistent worry.
Contact Julie

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Elderly

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Phobias

    Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as flying, heights, or spiders, that lead to avoidance and limit daily life.

    Learn more about Phobias
  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout
  • OCD

    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, a condition involving unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals (compulsions) performed to relieve anxiety.

    Learn more about OCD
  • Women's Issues

    Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.

Professional Title:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor

    A counselor licensed to provide professional mental health services including assessment and therapy.

Credentials

Registrations

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Licensed Professional Counselor

Qualifications

Master of Arts

Adler University

Service Areas

Michigan Ave

In-person & Online

Chicago, Illinois

United States

Chicago, United States