Julie M. Ziff, LCSW

“It is my great fortune to be able to work with children with an array of challenging behaviors for the past 40 years. I specialize in ages of 3 to 12 years and have worked in a range of settings from inpatient, home, community and school. The children I see may struggle with early developmental issues and emotional control, anxiety, ADHD, social issues and depression. They may be stuck in a developmental stage such as reluctance to master potty training or develop a healthy peer network. Together with parents, we will create a team around your child to help them meet their goals and participate fully in the activities of their daily lives. Treatment may include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship, kinesthetic and movement, mindfulness and specific skills building. Children have an innate curiosity, creativity and strength and I am constantly amazed by their resilience and ability to bounce back from their challenges, a vital skill in today’s world.”

Julie graduated from Western Illinois University with a BS in Psychology.  There she supplemented her studies as a Hotline volunteer, President of Psi Chi, tutored psychology students, and worked on a research project, later published, in the area of romantic love and liking. Post graduation, she worked at Forest Hospital in Des Plaines, Illinois, a private psychiatric hospital as a Pediatric Technician.

There she developed individual treatment plans, led and participated in group child therapy and multiple family therapy, and consulted in the development of an adolescent in-patient treatment program at Central Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. 

Julie earned her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania.  Majoring in family studies, she interned at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center, (PCGC), from 1985-1993, where she would continue her learning as a family therapist and clinical supervisor for student interns. At PCGC, she provided services in a specialized treatment program, Social Rehabilitation Program,  for high risk children and families in West Philadelphia who experienced multiple challenges including mental health issues, poverty and violence. These services were provided directly in the home, (school, hospital, welfare office, legal office, etc), and included clinical support, advocacy, and coordination of community services.  Julie was also a member of the Professional Services Group, Inc., a private practice.

Experience:  

Albert Einstein Hospital, Philadelphia, 1993-1995. Hospital social worker, for both the orthopedic and pediatric in-patient units. Here she coordinated discharge plans, sought out resources for children with a range of medical issues, and was the sole emergency pediatric social worker.  

Shriners Hospitals For Children as the Director of Social Work, 1995-1999. She provided administrative oversight of the department and clinical supervision of the staff working with orthopedic and spinal cord injuries. 

Home Study Associates, 1999-2002. Adoption Home Study social worker.  Interviewed and submitted home study reports for domestic and international adoptions. 

In private practice for over 20 years, Julie continued to work with young children with a range of developmental, physical, cognitive and behavioral issues.  She developed a full time summer social skills program, (Camp Friendship, 2003-2010), that provided intensive services for children with social skills deficits.   Additionally she received training in Play Therapy, (Directive and Non Directive), Family Systems Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and treatment for Anxiety, ADHD.