By Cherisse Moe, HER Magazine
Everyone needs therapy, but don’t take our word for it. According to therapist Jenna Julien, every person could benefit from professional guidance to address past traumas and build a healthier future. Julien’s research suggests that therapy sessions can be a valuable tool for personal growth and well-being.
As the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) points out, one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition each year. This staggering statistic highlights the importance of seeking help.
“Everyone has mental health, just like we all have physical health,” says Julien, 33, an adolescent and family therapist who specialises in relationships, trauma, and personal growth and development.
“When we neglect our mental health, it can sometimes lead to mental health conditions. Therapy is what we use to address our emotional, psychological, social, and even physical health.”
The benefits are aplenty: improved mental health, enhanced emotional well-being, improved relationships, increased self-awareness, and enhanced productivity.
Therapists say they have never been busier.
There was a significant rise in young adults, aged 18 to 34, seeking therapy – from 12% in 2019 to 18.4% in 2022, according to federal researchers.
Julien believes this surge is due to the younger generation leading the charge in destigmatising therapy and fostering open conversations about mental health.
“But there’s still some hesitancy among the older, boomer generation,” she explains. “They grew up in an era where therapy was seen as unnecessary, however with more candid discussions and the visible benefits of therapy, boomers are slowly beginning to recognise its value.”
The conversation around mental health gained renewed attention on October 10, World Mental Health Day. This year’s focus was mental health in the workplace, with many local businesses supporting the cause.
Ciji Kent, an HR professional, believes that mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma should continue year-round. She tells Her Magazine that this can look like: increased mental health conversations between staff members, leaders, and mental health professionals, bonding activities away from the office and team building sessions.
“Mental health first-aid training for leaders is also important,” adds Kent, “along with increased wellness activities such as aerobics, 5Ks, and the creation of green spaces to encourage peer conversations.”
Julien, who recently expanded her therapy services to the corporate world, agrees. Her sessions focus on emotional intelligence and mindfulness, addressing common workplace issues like poor communication, conflict resolution, and emotional management.
These problems often lead to burnout, high absenteeism, and a lack of work-life balance. “It’s not just about ticking boxes with wellness programmes,” she explains. “It’s about truly understanding the emotional needs of employees and taking steps to meet them.”
The Santa Flora resident knows the impact of a toxic work environment first-hand. “Facing a draining atmosphere every morning became a daily mental battle. It left me feeling stuck, constantly on edge, neglecting self-care, and struggling to separate work stress from my personal life,” she recalls.
Now, as a therapist, Julien is determined to change the narrative.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the UK’s University of Hertfordshire and a Master’s in Christian Studies and Family Therapy from Florida’s Palm Beach Atlantic University, she worked as a functional family therapist with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, New York City’s largest social services non-profit. Back home, she launched Jenna Julien Consulting in May last year with a commitment to making therapy more accessible. She offers specialised payment plans for clients in need.
Julien’s journey began when she became deeply involved in children’s and youth initiatives at the age of 14, sparking her passion for making a difference.
Yesterday she celebrated another career milestone: the publication of her first book, Changing the Way You Think Can Give You Plenty – Keys to Unlock Uncommon Blessings, which she began writing in 2019.
Her mission remains the same as it did when she first started: to break the stigma around therapy and guide individuals toward healthier, more fulfilled lives.
By helping people heal from their past, embrace emotional freedom, and foster meaningful relationships, she is redefining what it means to invest in one’s mental well-being. As Julien puts it, “Therapy is an investment—one that pays off in emotional balance, personal growth, and a better quality of life.”
