OUR THERAPISTS

Julie Grucza, Associate

Julie is a counsellor who works collaboratively with adults who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves or unsure how to navigate the relationships and experiences shaping their lives. Her approach is warm, curious and practical, with therapy shaped around the individual rather than expecting the individual to fit a particular therapeutic mould.

Julie works from an integrative, trauma-informed and attachment-informed perspective, drawing on client-centred, strengths-based and evidence-informed approaches. She is particularly interested in the patterns we develop through our experiences and relationships, and in helping clients better understand themselves with greater compassion rather than judgement.

Julie has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ clients, as well as people exploring identity, self-worth, relationship difficulties and ways of living or relating that may sit outside conventional expectations. She values creating a therapy space where clients do not need to minimise, mask or spend their sessions explaining who they are before getting to the things they actually want support with.

Before moving into counselling, Julie worked in secondary education. This experience continues to inform her belief in collaboration, curiosity and meeting people where they are, while recognising that there is rarely one “right” way to learn, grow or create meaningful change.

Outside the counselling room, Julie happily embraces her inner geek, foodie and explorer. She loves spending time with family and friends, her partners and, of course, her cats.

Areas of Special Interest

Neurodivergence, including late identification and masking
LGBTQIA+ affirming counselling
Relationship difficulties and relational patterns
Identity and self-worth
Anxiety, stress and emotional overwhelm
Life transitions and periods of uncertainty
Attachment and the impact of earlier experiences
Building boundaries, self-understanding and more authentic ways of living

Qualifications & Training

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Australian College of Applied Professions
Bachelor of Education, University of Queensland
Consensual Non-Monogamy in Therapy: Best Practices for Therapists — Martha Kauppi, Mind Body Training Institute
LGBTQIA-Affirmative Therapy: A Compassionate and Inclusive Approach — Clinton Power, Mind Body Training Institute
PACFA Certified Practising Counsellor & Australian Counselling Association Level 2