About JULIE FERNANDEZ
I am most passionate about empowering people to reconnect with their strengths and innate capacity to heal. Survivors of trauma often lose trust and no longer feel safe in their bodies and their environment. As a somatic trauma therapist, I help people reclaim their bodies and build trust in their innate wisdom. Using tools and techniques from yoga, breathwork, mindfulness practices, Somatic Experiencing, martial arts and other body-centered modalities, I invite the exploration of unsettled trauma in the body – helping people listen to and trust their bodies, attune to their real needs, and move through life with less stress and anxiety, and more peace and connection.
EXPERTISE
Movement and Trauma Specialist, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher and Trainer
CREDENTIALS
M.A. in Psychology with concentration in Expressive and Movement Arts (in progress) from Meridian University, Expressive Arts/Integrative Movement Therapy (in progress) at Tamalpa Institute, Somatic Experiencing from the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute with Dave Berger, MFT, PT, LCMHC, MA, SEP, Trauma-Informed Yoga with Jenn Turner from The Trauma Center in Brookline, MA, Yoga 4 Trauma with Lisa Danylchuk, LMFT, E-RYT, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Hala Khouri, M.A. and Kyra Haglund, ACSW in Santa Monica, CA, Dynamic Mindfulness with Niroga Institute and Outreach Yoga with Connection Coalition.
WHY DID I CHOOSE THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH?
My desire to become a trauma therapist stemmed from my own personal experiences with trauma from early childhood and into my adolescence, and being involved in unhealthy and abusive relationships later on in life. This led to cycles of depression, anxiety and eating disorders. By listening to and befriending my own body, I have been able to transform through these experiences. Today, I take what I have learned throughout the years and work closely with my clients as they begin their healing journey – helping survivors feel strong in their bodies, reclaim their agency, and further empower them with basic self-defense techniques.
SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME
I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and powerlifting. I love to dance!! I recently discovered that I am also a talented painter and poet. I love art!
WHAT MADE ME WANT TO JOIN THE HOPE TEAM AND PRACTICE IN THIS MODEL?
I connected with Hope Integrative Psychiatry while still living in New York and I was inspired by the team approach to wellness fostering our human need for connection and community. I came to Los Angeles to work collaboratively with Dr. Naim as my desire is to continue to empower others to uncover their natural capacity to heal – finding wholeness through integration of body, mind and spirit.