Julia Baum, the founder and owner of Philosophical and Cognitive Therapy (PACT), specializes in providing personalized support to adult individuals navigating emotional challenges. Through one-on-one sessions, Julia empowers clients to explore themselves and the world, fostering personal growth and self-understanding as integral parts of their therapeutic journey. She offers philosophically informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and philosophical counseling, drawing from her training in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), a philosophical form of CBT, and her studies in Stoicism and Existentialism.

Julia's path to counseling emerged unexpectedly from an artistic background. Initially working in the arts, focusing on portraiture, she aspired to a long tenure as a photographer. However, she came to realize that her camera was getting in the way of what she found most meaningful in the work—connecting with her subjects and guiding them through an authentic expression of themselves. After nearly a decade in the art world, Julia concluded that she did not need a camera or a gallery to fulfill her true passion and set forth on graduate education and training in mental health counseling. Since then, Julia has gained clinical experience across various settings, including private practice, community mental health, and day-treatment programs for adults with serious mental illness. Julia's artistic nature continues to shine through in her role as a therapist, both in her presence and style of working, as she blends philosophy with psychotherapeutic approaches in her practice.

‍

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York (LMHC) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California, Julia is an accredited member of the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMCHA) and California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC). She has earned the distinguished Associate Fellow and Training Faculty Level II positions with The Albert Ellis Institute in NYC, having completed the highest level of external training in REBT. Additionally, she is an Affiliate Member of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. Julia holds a Master of Science in Education degree in Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the School of Visual Arts. Julia's insights on emotional wellness have been spotlighted in national publications, including TIME, Counseling Today, and Psych Central.

‍

Through PACT, Julia provides a holistic approach to therapy, integrating philosophical insights with cognitive practices to support her clients' journey toward growth and self-discovery.

‍

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Julia, please contact us.