Therapist profile
Dr. Julia Kaluga, LMFT
Dr. Julia Kaluga, LMFT - Relationships and Parenting
Continue with JuliaAbout
- ACT techniques
- CBT strategies
- Mindfulness skills
About Julia
Dr. Julia Kaluga is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 14 years of professional experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, substance use, trauma, low self-esteem, grief, and LGBTQ+ related issues. Sessions are conducted in English and Russian and are aimed at practical, day-to-day change.
Her approach is straightforward and problem-focused. She often uses methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice patterns and try different ways of responding. Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used when people need tools to manage intense feelings or regain stability.
Dr. Kaluga frames sessions as a place to talk through what is happening at home and at work. She helps people sort priorities, practice new skills, and set small, realistic goals. Conversations are paced to match each person's situation and needs.
She also supports adults facing life transitions, parenting strain, compassion fatigue, and workplace stress. Additional topics she addresses include aging issues, first responder concerns, immigration-related stress, gender dysphoria, hoarding, and relationship styles such as polyamory and non-monogamous relationships.
People who choose her often want clear, practical steps and techniques. She combines evidence-based strategies with attention to values and what matters most in daily life. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the site's booking flow.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking small actions that matter. It helps people who feel stuck to notice what matters and experiment with changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical techniques to shift unhelpful patterns. These skills are useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers specific tools for handling intense emotions and improving distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, current difficulties, and preferences, then suggest which methods to try first. This is a collaborative process and methods can be adjusted as needs change.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, shorten a check-in when time is limited, or avoid travel on a workday. Many people find it helpful to practice skills between sessions and bring real-life examples to the online meeting. Licensed professionals can use the approaches above to help clients learn concrete skills and apply them in daily life.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Russian
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, substance use, grief, low self-esteem, and LGBTQ+ related issues among others.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses practical, skills-based approaches that focus on noticing patterns and trying different responses. Sessions often include exercises from ACT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.
How much experience does she have?
She has 14 years of professional experience as a clinician working with adults on a range of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Doctor of Psychology and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Russian.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session through the booking flow.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.