Julia Saari, BSW, RSW
Sometimes life can feel like a lot. You might find yourself overthinking everything, feeling overwhelmed by emotions, struggling in your relationships, or wondering why certain patterns keep showing up. Maybe you’re trying to figure out who you are, what you need, or how to move forward when things feel uncertain. You don’t need to have it all figured out before coming to therapy. Primarily, I work with men, youth and adolescents.
Some areas I especially enjoy working with include:
Substance use & harm reduction — A compassionate, shame-free space to explore your relationship with substances and what change might look like for you, wherever you’re starting from.
Youth & young adults — Support through identity, relationships, big emotions, family dynamics, pressure, and the sometimes messy process of figuring out who you are becoming.
Men’s mental health — A place to talk openly about emotions, relationships, stress, identity, and the things you may have learned to carry quietly.
Anxiety, overwhelm & difficult emotions — Helping you better understand what’s happening in your mind and body, build practical ways of coping, and feel a little less controlled by what you’re experiencing.
I’m a Registered Social Worker and work with individuals ages 12 and up. My approach is warm, genuine, down-to-earth, and non-judgmental. I’m not here to tell you who you should be or what your life should look like. Instead, we’ll work together to make sense of what you’re carrying, understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and help you move toward a life that feels more connected to who you are.
hi, I'm Julia!
I want you to feel comfortable enough to be yourself, honest enough to say what’s really going on, and supported enough to try something different.
My Approach
I believe good therapy starts with a good relationship. I want you to feel comfortable enough to be yourself, honest enough to say what’s really going on, and supported enough to try something different.
My approach is collaborative, practical, and individualized. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I draw from different evidence-based therapeutic practices and adapt them to the person sitting in front of me. Depending on what you need, our work might involve building practical coping strategies, understanding patterns of thoughts and behaviours, exploring emotions and where they come from, strengthening communication and boundaries, or simply creating space to slow down and make sense of what’s happening.
I also believe therapy should be useful outside of the therapy room. When appropriate, we’ll work toward tools and strategies that can actually fit into your everyday life—not just things that sound good on paper. I want you to leave sessions with greater understanding, something to think about, or a practical next step you can take with you.
Ultimately, I’m not here to tell you how you should live your life. I’m here to help you understand yourself, explore what matters to you, and develop the confidence and tools to move forward in a way that feels right for you.
Whether you’re navigating a difficult season, feeling stuck, trying to understand yourself better, or simply know that something needs to change, we can figure out where to start together.
More About Me....
Outside of work, I’m all about quiet moments at the cabin, spending time with my family, and taking walks with my sweet dog. I know how important it is to slow down and recharge - and I try and bring that same calm energy into my sessions.