“Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.”
“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.”
Julie Fanning DSW, LCSW
I have spent more than 30 years helping people navigate some of life's most difficult moments.
As a therapist, social worker, supervisor, program leader, trainer, and speaker, I have worked alongside individuals, families, helping professionals, and organizations facing trauma, grief, change, conflict, and uncertainty.
One thing I have learned is that life is complicated. Most people carry burdens that others cannot see. They question themselves, struggle with relationships, navigate loss, wrestle with shame, or simply wonder if they are enough.
I believe people are remarkably resilient.
My role is not to tell people who they should be. My role is to help them discover their strengths, make sense of their experiences, and move toward a life that feels meaningful and authentic to them.
Whether I am providing therapy, facilitating training, speaking to a conference audience, or consulting with an organization, my approach remains the same: practical, honest, compassionate, and grounded in real life.
I am a "what you see is what you get" kind of person. I value authenticity, curiosity, connection, and a little humor along the way. I am comfortable having difficult conversations, exploring complex challenges, and helping people navigate the tough stuff.
Throughout my career, I have worked in community mental health, medical social work, higher education, domestic violence services, clinical supervision, and nonprofit leadership. These experiences have shaped my belief that healing, growth, and resilience happen through connection, purpose, and hope.
Whoever you are, wherever you have been, and wherever you are going, you are welcome here.
Experience & Credentials
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) in Illinois. I earned a Doctor of Social Work degree from Capella University, a Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Iowa State University.
Over the past 30 years, I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, families, helping professionals, and nonprofit organizations in a variety of settings, including mental health, domestic violence services, medical social work, higher education, crisis intervention, clinical supervision, and program leadership.
My experience spans both direct practice and organizational leadership. In addition to providing therapy, I have supervised clinicians and advocates, developed programs and policies, led multidisciplinary teams, and supported organizations in creating trauma-informed and sustainable services. I currently serve in nonprofit leadership, overseeing a wide range of domestic violence, counseling, advocacy, shelter, and prevention programs.
I love supporting helping professionals and strengthening the systems in which they work. My speaking and training topics often focus on professional grief, resilience, trauma-informed practice, leadership, supervision, community connection, and mental health.
I have presented for professional associations, community organizations, healthcare providers, and helping professionals on topics including trauma, domestic violence, professional grief, clinical practice, leadership, ethics, and mental health.
My work is grounded in trauma-informed practice and informed by specialized training in evidence-based trauma treatment approaches, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE). I am also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers and serve on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals organization.
Check out Julie’s resume by clicking above!