Hello, my name is Julie Anne Offutt. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and Independent Clinical Supervisor (ICS) in Wisconsin. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my Masters in Science and Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I attended MATC to obtain my Clinical Substance Abuse License, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for my Independent Clinical Supervisor license.
I currently work at a well respected substance abuse treatment facility in Milwaukee. We are faced with an opiate crisis here, as is the rest of our country, and my focus is harm reduction as a starting point for patients; how can they make small changes every day to increase their chances of overall, lasting change? I favor journaling, reading (flash fiction, short stories) or viewing movies as exercises in emotional regulation; I often suggest or lightly "assign" patients reading material, or journaling exercises, to experience emotions, and to identify the thoughts that precede these emotions.
I favor Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an effective strategy for changing patients' self talk - their ongoing dialogue with themselves. It is here that writing and reading can be especially useful; how can one rewrite their thoughts so they are more positive; real and manageable? Sometimes, patients can write letters to themselves (via email for example) as a way of developing a better sense of self. For those who don't enjoy writing, there are ways to verbalize thoughts; get them out in the open, to hear how harshly one speaks to oneself.
Often, the patient or client knows the answer; it is merely a question of exploration; a conversation with a therapist to 'get it out.'
The connection between therapist and patient is one of the most authentic, hopeful exchanges between people. I am privileged to call this my work.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Body image, Codependency, Divorce and separation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, First Responder Issues, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Self-love, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
WI LCSW 6990-123