About Julie!
Julie M. Tucker-Ponder is the president of a Psychiatric Assoc. Of Central Illinois and is the founder/ director of J. Ponder Counseling & Coaching. She also provides Equine-Assisted psychotherapy and learning through her business, Pastures of Hope.
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Over the years, Julie has dedicated her practice to caring for young adults and women who have experienced trauma, eating disorders, addiction, depression, and anxiety.
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She has been a licensed clinical social worker and a certified addiction counselor in Illinois for over 27 years. Most recently, Julie has earned her certification as a life coach and is the behavioral specialist at Losin’ It with Sonya Jones.
Julie has devoted her life to promoting healing and not being limited by the past. She is passionate about helping people enjoy their life and all it has to offer. She has walked through grief in many areas of her life and uses her experience of loss to empower others to show that healing is possible.
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Julie has been blessed with three children and a granddaughter. She also has 5 Pitbulls and one horse she loves to spend time with. In her free time, Julie enjoys traveling, swimming, and being with her family.
Education & Credentials:
LCSW (IL), CADC (IL),
Eagala Certified Mental Health Specialist
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist
B.S. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S.W. University of Illinois at Champaign - Urbana
Meet our Intern!
Kaity Orear, BA
Kaity earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications and Adult Family Studies from Iowa State University. Currently, she is pursuing her Master's degree in Human Development Counseling at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Kaity has had the privilege of providing support to individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, intimate partner violence, foster care involvement, and those within the LGBTQ+ community. Kaity works with children, teens, and adults. At this time, she is accepting new clients through discounted private pay only.
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If interested in starting services with Kaity, please contact info.goponderthis@gmail.com or call 217-899-7478.
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