Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Baron.
Hi Julie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path really began in middle school, sitting in a counselor’s office as a struggling kid myself. I was dealing with anxiety and depression at a time when therapy wasn’t as common, and I was fortunate to have thoughtful, caring professionals who really showed up for me. Looking back, those early experiences shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. They were my first exposure to what meaningful support can look like.
That stayed with me. I went on to study Psychology at Penn State and earned my Master’s in Social Work from Boston University. Over the years, I’ve worked in a wide range of settings, including community mental health, residential treatment, crisis programs, schools, and eventually private practice. I’ve had the opportunity to do individual, group, and family therapy, as well as advocacy work.
In 2017, I founded Julie Baron and Associates in Rockville, Maryland. Today, I lead a team of incredibly dedicated therapists, and we specialize in working with teens, adults through the lifespan, and families. One of the things I’m most proud of is our comprehensive DBT program, which helps young people struggling with trauma, suicidality, and self-harm build real, sustainable coping skills and move toward what we call a “life worth living.”
Along the way, I’ve also been teaching, writing, and speaking, offering accessible resources to professionals, parents and teens through professional trainings, my Psychology Today column, or co-authoring What Works With Teens (New Harbinger, 2015). At this point in my career, I’m particularly focused on mentoring the next generation of therapists, as well as offering more resources for parents navigating their journey raising teens and young adults, a challenging time for many.
At the heart of what has felt a meaningful career path, I have consistently embraced a simple belief: that connection is what helps people heal and grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s my belief that any meaningful path includes barriers and challenges, which has been true for me. I often describe myself as a “wounded healer.” My own early struggles with anxiety and depression were difficult, but they ultimately gave me a deeper understanding of what people go through. That lived experience, combined with years of training, allows me to connect with clients in a very real way.
Professionally, working in social work, especially early in my career, came with its own challenges. I spent many years working with vulnerable populations and youth facing significant mental health challenges and systemic barriers. That kind of work requires you to hold a lot of pain while still offering hope, which can be both meaningful and emotionally demanding.
There were also financial realities. Many roles in social work aren’t highly compensated, especially early on. But for me, the work has always been driven by purpose. Seeing people grow, heal, and move toward a meaningful future has always outweighed those challenges.
Over time, I’ve been able to evolve my career, building a private practice, stepping into entrepreneurship, and supporting other clinicians. But the challenges along the way were definitely part of what shaped me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Julie Baron and Associates?
One of the things I’ve appreciated most about this career is how it’s evolved over time. I’ve been in the field for more than 30 years, and I still feel like I’m learning every day, through continued training, through my colleagues, through my clients, and especially in my experience as a parent.
Clinically, my work has always been grounded in relationships and evidence-based care. At Julie Baron and Associates, we focus heavily on helping clients feel understood, engaged, and empowered. Our DBT program, in particular, has been a powerful way to support teens and young adults in crisis and help them build practical skills they can actually use in their lives.
At the same time, I’ve been able to explore other parts of my professional identity. Writing and speaking have allowed me to share ideas more broadly, whether through my book, articles, or my Psychology Today column. I’ve also stepped into teaching and supervision roles, working with graduate students and clinicians working toward licensure.
Entrepreneurship has added another layer, as I have grown my private group practice, learning about business management, marketing, and establishing a reputable resource in our community.
On a personal level, this career has given me the flexibility to raise my family. I’ve parented two boys through adolescence and into young adulthood, including the challenges of the COVID years, which has only deepened my understanding of the families I work with.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
As a native of Montgomery County, I really appreciate all this region has to offer. I’ve built both a strong professional network and lasting personal relationships here. I have an incredible network of brilliant and talented colleagues, both wonderful experts and valued friends. Many of my closest friendships go back decades to my time at Winston Churchill High School.
It’s also been a wonderful place to raise a family. We’ve had access to great parks, activities, cultural opportunities, and a community of caring families. Being close to extended family has been especially meaningful. My parents were nearby, which allowed my kids to develop a truly special relationship with their grandparents.
Although I left for Penn State and then spent several years in Boston for graduate school and early career opportunities, I always felt a pull back to this area. I returned in 1998, and it’s been home ever since. My husband relocated here from Charlotte at that time, and we raised our two boys here, both of whom have stayed in the area and now enjoy everything the Metro DC region has to offer. We’re still in the same home we’ve lived in for 25 years, along with our two labs, Max and Laney.
Pricing:
- • Julie Baron and Associates is an out-of-network provider (we do not participate with insurance panels)
- • Clients pay for services in full and are provided with a monthly superbill to submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement
- • Fees typically range from $175–$300 per session
- • Limited sliding scale options are available in some cases
Contact Info:
- Website: www.juliebaronandassociates.com and www.whatworkswithteens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentingteensthruconnection/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliebaronandassociates/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-baron-589a03173/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-teens-through-connection
