Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Schwab.
Hi Julia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Los Angeles and went to UC Santa Cruz for undergrad. At a very young age, I knew I was queer, and I also knew that my peers and family would struggle with that reality. Going to school in the progressive environment of Santa Cruz gave me the safety I needed to accept my queerness and make supportive friends.
I also found myself in a lot of therapy throughout my parents’ tumultuous divorce, but none of the therapists I saw made me feel seen or understood. That childhood experience left a deep impression on me. It’s one of the reasons I became a therapist who focuses on the queer community. I know firsthand how important it is to sit with someone who understands your identity, your culture, intersectionality, and your lived experience.
Over the last two decades, I’ve worked in various queer community organizations both as a therapist and as an advocate. Supporting people impacted by HIV/AIDS as well as the broader LGBTQIA+ community has, unsurprisingly, turned out to be very meaningful and fulfilling for me. Along the way, I realized I wanted to build my own practice and create a therapeutic space that provided the kind of support I never had growing up.
So now I have my own niche private practice, where I provide affirming, inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ individuals. I really appreciate the freedom I have in this setting to focus to the trans* community and anyone else navigating marginalized identities. My goal is simple: help clients feel safe, seen, and supported because everyone deserves that in therapy. My bigger hope is that therapy can serve as a launch pad for clients to build healthier, more stable relationships where they can be exactly who they are. To me, this is what life is fundamentally about; safe and secure functioning relationships whether in our family of origin or in our chosen family.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t been smooth, and I don’t think it is for most people who take this path. On a personal level, I had to navigate my own journey of identity, self-acceptance, and family conflict, which at times felt incredibly isolating. Professionally, working in mental health agencies was rewarding but also exhausting. I often felt stretched thin and unable to show up fully for the people I cared about.
One of the most difficult times in my life was when my partner was seriously ill. I realized then how important my relationships were to me, and how much I wasn’t able to show up the way I wanted to because I was burned out from the demands of agency work. That experience clarified for me that something had to change. (By the way, my partner’s health is great now, so don’t worry.)
Starting my private practice was not easy. It came with fears about whether I’d have enough clients, how to balance the emotional demands of the work with my own wellbeing, and how to handle the business side of running a practice. But through those struggles, I gained clarity. As I learned more, and grew through each obstacle, I noticed my resolve strengthening. The dream of building the kind of affirming, inclusive therapeutic space I had needed as a child became more and more real with each step.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Julia Schwab Therapy ?
wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc
My practice is called Julia Schwab Therapy. I work with individuals, couples, and those in consensual non-monogamous relationships, with a strong focus on the LGBTQIA+ community. Many of my clients come to me with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or the weight of marginalization based on sexuality, gender identity, race, class, size, or ability.
I work from an interpersonal and attachment lens, which means we look closely at how your sense of self and your relationships shape your world. I view my clients as the experts of their own story, and my role is to provide a supportive and affirming space where they can explore, heal, and grow.
What I’m most proud of is my clients themselves. In today’s political climate, where trans and queer communities are among the most vulnerable, the courage it takes just to show up and keep going is extraordinary. Witnessing that resilience as they claim their space in the world, is the most meaningful part of my work. My hope is that therapy not only provides relief and support, but also builds resiliency, through stronger, healthier relationships and a deeper sense of belonging.
What makes you happy?
Happiness for me is rooted in curiosity and connection. I even have a tattoo on my right arm that says ‘choose curiosity,’ because it’s how I try to approach my life. I love starting my mornings with a walk with our dogs and a good cup of pour-over coffee before the day begins.
I prioritize time with my friends and partner because those relationships bring me the most joy. Travel has also been a big source of happiness over the past few years. We’ve explored different states and spent a lot of time in national parks with our dogs. I also feel fortunate to have found work that aligns with my values and allows me to show up in a way that feels authentic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliaschwabtherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaschwabtherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Juliaschwabtherapy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juliaschwabtherapy
