Julia Quandt, MSW, MT BC

Children (ages 3-10), Adolescents (10-18), College Students, Young Adults, Adults, Parents & Families

ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Body Image & Disordered Eating, Depression, Divorce & Separation, Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, Grief & Loss, Intimacy & Sexuality, LGBTQIA+, Personality Disorders, PTSD/Trauma, Social Anxiety, Self Harm

Hi, I’m Julia, and I believe therapy is a space for belonging, discovery, and healing.

I grew up in Seattle, WA, where choir and theater were places I first felt seen, heard, and connected. Later, when I moved to Nashville, TN for college, music became more than performance—it became a refuge. It helped me connect with others, understand myself, and feel less alone.

That connection inspired me to study music therapy and become a board-certified music therapist. Through this work, I supported clients in using expressive arts as a path toward healing and self-understanding. Over time, I became increasingly interested in the deeper internal work that talk therapy offers—the way our inner worlds are shaped by relationships, transitions, identities, and daily challenges. This led me to pursue my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) at Loyola University Chicago.

I’ve worked in residential, inpatient, and outpatient settings with people across the lifespan—from children and adolescents to adults and families. I’m especially passionate about helping individuals who are trying to better understand themselves, move through “stuck” points, or feel more grounded and connected in their lives. I also care deeply about affirming, identity-centered work with LGBTQIA+ clients and those exploring self-worth and belonging.

Today, psychotherapy is my primary mode of treatment, and I often integrate music and expressive arts when they feel meaningful or supportive. I believe therapy should meet you where you are—through words, creativity, or simply being heard.

I know firsthand how hard it can be to feel uncertain about identity, belonging, or self-confidence. These have been some of my own most important struggles. Therapy helped me find acceptance, make meaning, and live a fuller, more authentic life—and it’s an honor to walk that path with others.

What I Bring To Our Work

If we work together, I will bring warmth, curiosity, and patience. I believe therapy is a two way street: a safe space where you decide what matters, and I help hold both the gentle and heavier parts with you. Whether your goals are self discovery, acceptance, managing symptoms, or something in between, I’m honored to join you in whatever journey you’re ready for.

Adolescents, College Students & Young Adults

Adolescence and young adulthood are full of big transitions, emotionally, socially, and developmentally. These years come with questions like: Who am I? What do I want? Where do I belong?

It’s a time that can feel exciting and freeing, but also overwhelming, lonely, and full of pressure. I have been there myself, and I know how pivotal these years can be. Whether it’s identity exploration, academic and career stress, family conflict, relationship dynamics, or simply figuring out what matters to you, I create a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to show up as you are and sort through it all. Therapy can be a grounding anchor during this time of growth and change.

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care

I offer a space where you don’t have to explain or justify who you are and where your identity, relationships, and experiences are met with genuine understanding and respect.

I know how meaningful (and sometimes rare) it can be to feel fully seen, especially when you’re navigating identity, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, or the impact of systems that weren’t built with you in mind. Whether you’re questioning, exploring, transitioning, or just wanting a space that feels like yours, I show up with warmth, nuance, and care. You deserve a therapeutic space where your whole self is welcome without caveats, without code-switching, and without fear of being misunderstood.

Eating Disorder Recovery

I have personally walked the path of recovering from an eating disorder. I understand how isolating and confusing disordered eating can feel, and how much it impacts not just body image but self worth, identity, and relationships.

My approach is gentle, compassionate, and collaborative: we will work together to explore what’s underneath, the beliefs, fears, and life situations that contribute, so that healing doesn’t just mean change, but a deeper understanding of who you are.

Complex Mental Health Conditions

Living with diagnoses like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder can feel disorienting, overwhelming, and deeply isolating. It can be hard to make sense of your inner world when emotions feel intense, relationships feel confusing, or you’ve been misunderstood by providers in the past.

I believe that you are so much more than a diagnosis and that with the right support, things can start to feel more manageable, more grounded, and more you. I provide a steady, compassionate presence where we can explore your experiences at a pace that feels safe, and work together to build insight, emotional stability, and self-trust. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

For Fun…

When I’m not in session, you’ll often find me taking a stroll, having a picnic in the park, rollerblading along the lake, or just enjoying the fresh air. I also love making music on the piano and guitar, and singing. At home, I’m kept company by my bonded sister cats, Ava and Addison, who are excellent reminders that rest, comfort, and a bit of cuddling go a long way.

To schedule an appointment, Call or TEXT (847) 919-9096 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com