We had the good fortune of connecting with Julianne Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julianne, what matters most to you?
The guiding principle that directs my life is a burning desire to cultivate in others a felt sense of belonging. I have the honor of walking alongside people to experience the well-spring of love and acceptance that comes from belonging to oneself without conditions. What I mean by that is this: everyone deserves freedom and the choice to not only accept, but celebrate themselves as they are without falling short to outrageous & damaging beliefs that their bodies, relationship status, background, race, sexual orientation & gender identification, religious/faith affiliation, income & socioeconomic status, career choice, life experiences, mental health conditions, etc. somehow disqualify them from worthiness and belonging in this world. As I write this, I notice the tightness in my chest and the beginning of tears, as I acknowledge the years of suffering that I have witnessed on an individual level with those who see me for therapy, yoga, or speaking engagements. 2020 has been a year that has exposed too on a national and global level where divisiveness and exclusion has harmed many. (#blacklivesmatter). Yet, I remain a determined realist and am hopeful for change to be enacted as a result of an awakening this global pandemic has brought us. That change however, must start within us. The need for us to love and belong to ourselves can soften us in the best of ways so that we do not need to be drawn to unhealthy and damaging ways of obtaining inner and outer security. So many of the people I have a privilege of working with have found themselves given their power away out of innate desire to belong to someone or something that promises approval and acceptance. The value I place on belonging runs deep in my heart, and I hope lead with that not only in my work as a therapist, yoga teacher, and speaker, but to everyone who’s path I may cross in this lifetime. Maya Angelou’s words are fitting, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What I want others to know about what I offer is a chance to reconnect with yourself in a way that is supportive of the life that you envision. Too often we hold onto experiences , both consciously and unconsciously, that create layers of embedded untrue beliefs about ourselves. Our work is to uncover what is the truth, and to me the truth underneath it all is there is unconditional love and acceptance waiting. The work I believe is ongoing, and no that doesn’t mean that I need to see people for a lifetime, but that I help to instill life-long tools to come back to themselves with understanding. At some point in time we need someone to remind us of our inherent strength and ability to navigate the inevitable trials we face by being human. I believe more than anything we all deserve acceptance, belonging, and grace. We are all doing our best to figure out “how to do life”. I speak from the heart because my heart is what drives what I do, and what I am most proud of. Of course I believe in balance and find it necessary to factor the head and the heart in what I do in and out of the therapy room. I deem myself a life-long learner, practice continual self-awareness, and seek education on evidence-based approaches to use with clients in both mind and body.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If one of my best friends was visiting Dallas, we would definitely explore growing Bishop Arts area and all the unique coffee shops & restaurants, stores, popping up there. From there, we would decompress and spend time away from the city while being in the city getting lost on the trails in Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, and then find ourselves on a laid-back patio somewhere soaking up the sun and a local brew. (Truckyard is a fav). I see ourselves ending with a picnic and appreciating a vibrant sunset highlighting the city skyline at White Rock Lake.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Can I shoutout everyone in my life? I promise it’s not a copout. My wide and deep network of support ranges from family, friends, colleagues, therapists, yoga teachers, mentors & mentees, and my spirituality, all who have seen and celebrated me at my highs and offered support during my lowpoints. My clients are undoubtedly deserving of a shoutout too for their bravery, vulnerability, resilience, and more. I really get to work with some of the best. I also want to acknowledge the people, cultural norms, ideologies, and systems that have created (and will continue) to challenge my own sense of belonging within myself. It is in confronting pain and fear of inadequacy that I have learned to access self-acceptance. Because I love quotes so much, I’ll end by sharing the wise words of Ram Dass, “We are all walking each other home”. And for that reason, I’m thankful for every person who teaches me something along the way.

Website: www.julianneschroeder.com
Instagram: julianne.schroeder
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/julianne-schroeder-74481562
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julianneschroedercounseling/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQDQ5tWlE4gGz03-eKyF2lQ

Image Credits
Valerie Rocio of Lumos Creative

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