A new therapist on the Blessing Outpatient Behavioral Health Services team is helping people learn how to better deal with stress in their life, and sometimes within a few weeks. 

Julie Eftink, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), is a telehealth therapist focused on helping people build resilience through “strengths-based therapy” methods. This is a goal-oriented approach that helps clients build on their own strengths and focus on a desired future, rather than dwelling on past problems.

“We focus on the present by identifying the patient’s skills - and the future by building on those skills to improve their lives,” Julie said. “I typically work with patients for up to 12 sessions,” she continued. “I think that is appealing to some patients - to not have a huge time commitment, to be able to make progress within 3 or 4 sessions. People can see they have the skills to meet the current stressors in their lives and don’t need to see me for months on end. That can get people to make the call and try therapy.”

“And strengths-based therapists are able to see more patients.  I can typically get patients in within two-to-three weeks,” Julie said. She also offers her therapy only via telehealth.

“Telehealth provides flexibility in the client’s schedule. They don’t have travel time for their session. They can go out during their lunch period at work, sit in their car and be in a therapy session, and busy moms can participate from home while a little one naps,” Julie stated. “Weather doesn’t matter. If the weather is bad, there is no need to cancel because you don’t have to travel.”

“And some people feel more comfortable not having to go into a waiting room and office setting. Telehealth is more private,” she concluded. “It gets people the help they need, how and when they need it.”

Julie works with patients 12 years old and up who live in Illinois or Missouri. Persons interested in a telehealth visit with Julie should call (800) 222-9913 in Illinois and (800) 222-9914 in Missouri and request an appointment with Julie Eftink.

She brings experience in working with a variety of patient groups to the Blessing Outpatient Behavioral Health Services team including women’s health – those with fertility issues, pregnant and new moms, and women who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth – people with binge eating and obesity issues, and geriatric individuals. Julie has been on the Blessing staff for 23 years.