Welcome! I’m Julsey and I am the owner and founder of Capon Counseling.

**My speciality is working with teens and young adults and helping them navigate everything that comes along with this fantastic, yet stressful time in their lives! However, I do occasionally work with younger kids and older adults on a case by case basis. Please feel free to reach out to see if we would be a good fit.**

A little bit about me:

From a young age, I always knew I wanted to be in the helping profession. I originally thought I wanted to become a teacher, but I quickly realized that I strongly prefer the one-on-one connection you are able to build in a therapeutic setting. I changed paths and entered the counseling profession and I haven’t looked back since!

As a neurodiversity affirming therapist, I focus less on problematic behaviors and more on identifying unmet needs, unsolved problems, and lagging skills. I am a strong believer that people are not intentionally giving their parents/teachers/caregivers/friends a hard time, but rather they are having a hard time. As Dr. Ross Green states, "kids do well if they can."

With this reframe, our focus is on altering routines, implementing an appropriate sensory diet, adjusting school/work accommodations, fostering relationships, developing self-advocacy and communication skills, enhancing flexibility and adaptability, and improving distress tolerance and emotional awareness/acceptance. I am certified in AutPlay Therapy, which is a neurodiversity informed and affirming  approach which strives to value neurodivergence and support non-ableist processes – respecting, valuing, and appreciating the identity and voice of the client. 

I am also incredibly passionate about supporting people with chronic illnesses, (particularly Lyme/tick-borne diseases and its comorbidities such as POTS, EDS, MCAS, GI problems). Please click the tab "Lyme Literate Therapy" on the left hand side for more information. 

Collaboratively, we will work together to identify and utilize your unique strengths, interests, and passions to help you thrive and live your own value-driven and authentic life.

I help support: 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self Confidence
• Chronic Illness/Medical Trauma 
• Autism
• ADHD
• Emotional Dysregulation
• Peer/Family Relationships

Collaboration is a huge part of my practice. I communicate with school counselors, teachers, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors and most importantly, the parents (if applicable) to ensure the best care. There is no "right" way to do therapy. It all depends on what feels best for the person. I primarily utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Strengths Based Therapy. I also incorporate mindfulness-based approaches as well as play and art therapy techniques. 

Prior to opening Capon Counseling, I held several positions which all confirmed my love for this field. I interned at the Barker Foundation, an adoption agency where I had the privilege of placing foster children in their forever homes and the Homeless Children's Playtime Project where I supported the social and emotional needs of homeless children. I also interned at the DC Rape Crisis Center gaining invaluable trauma and crisis counseling experience. I later worked at Southwest Regional Medical Center and Charles County Detention Center helping youth with substance abuse and relapse prevention.  I was employed at Vesta for several years where I provided individual and group counseling for children and adolescents with varying mental health diagnoses. I founded Capon Counseling in 2015 and I am absolutely thrilled to have added 4 wonderful therapists to my team. 

Qualifications :

• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• Licensed Clinical Supervisor
• Nationally Board Certified Counselor
• Certified Life Coach
• Certified Trauma Specialist
• Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider
• Johns Hopkins University: Masters' degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• West Virginia University: Bachelor's degree in Social Work
• Member of American Counseling Association
• Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please email me at c[email protected]. I offer both in-person and virtual appointments depending on client preference. I look forward to hearing from you!