About

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.