Child and Family Therapy Intern

Julia Camara, Clinical Intern

I’m Julia. I’m currently studying for my masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northwestern University. That means that when you work with me, my supervisor (Robin Brannan LCMFT) will be part of our team too. Read more about that below.

I chose to become a therapist because of my belief in people’s inherent power to connect and to heal themselves and each other. Here’s a little bit of what I think.

You want harmony in your home, and in the world. You try to treat your partner and your children with love, patience, and understanding. But seeing eye to eye is harder than you thought it would be. You and your partner come from different perspectives. From different families. Maybe even from different faiths or cultures. Your child or teen is from a different generation.

It’s like you’re trapped in a cage of misunderstandings. And you want to fly free.

**There is hope. We can heal ourselves and each other. If we can hear each other.**

I’ll enter your world with you, and help you to feel less alone. You’ll give voice to what you’re thinking. Together we will start to bring in understanding, lightheartedness, and joy.

I’ll show you new ways to connect and support each other.

You’ll move from singing different notes to building family harmony. Complimenting each other to make a beautiful sound. That dream might seem out of reach. It might feel scary to even try. I’ll show you that the uncomfortable part of the work is worth it.

We all hold within us potential for healing. Reach out to start discovering yours.

Fun Facts About Julia

A lemur has licked my finger!
I know all the songs in Hamilton.
I go hiking in West Virginia whenever I get the chance.
An ice cold Arnold Palmer is my favorite drink.
Seeing the world from multiple perspectives is the cornerstone of my couple and family work.

Julia’s Specialties

Therapy for kids and tweens using the skills I learned as a “Positive Development Play Partner.”
Positive Identity development for tweens, teens, and adults.
Strengthening relationships through Family Therapy and Marriage Counseling.
Support for parents who want new ideas for helping their challenging child.

Languages Spoken

Fluent: English, French, Bambara, Malinke
Conversational Spanish

Education and Training

Northwestern University: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Legal Studies

Current Student in Master of Arts in Family Therapy, The Family Institute at Northwestern University

Frequently Asked Questions: Working with a Family Therapy Intern

What is a Family Therapy Intern?

This term means different things in different states. In our practice, an intern is a current graduate student in a highly regarded COAMFTE accredited masters or doctoral program in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Is an Intern qualified to help my family?

Yes. Interns are graduate students in highly competitive training programs. They are selected to pursue clinical training because they demonstrate the ability to learn the skills and techniques required. In addition, students have completed the first stage of their graduate coursework prior to starting their internship with us.

Why should I consider an Intern as my family therapist?

Families often choose Interns as their therapists because it makes therapy more affordable. Interns also are studying the latest developments in the mental health field daily. They may learn about new tools or techniques before their supervisors do, and bring high levels of energy and creativity to their work.

Who ensures that the Intern is practicing ethically and correctly?

The Intern has Clinical Supervisors at both the internship site (Better Together Family Therapy) and the University. The intern gets feedback on their work weekly in both places, including direct observations of sessions with families by the site supervisor. At Better Together Family Therapy, the Clinical Supervisor on site is Robin Brannan LCMFT. In Robin’s absence, coverage is provided by Laura Willard LCSW-C.

Will there be an observer or supervisor in my session?

Only with your permission, and only occasionally. If the Supervisor wishes to attend or observe your session, you will be informed in advance and asked if is it ok with you. When a supervisor observes, they/he/she typically connect to the session via Zoom call from a nearby room. If the Supervisor wishes to change something happening in the session, they knock on the door and prompt the therapist.

When the Supervisor isn’t present, how will they know what happens in my sessions?

When you work with the Intern, you will be asked to review and sign a permission form granting us the right to video record the Intern’s sessions with you for viewing by the Supervisor. We conduct this recording via a HIPAA compliant version of Zoom. If you have concerns about your sessions being recorded, please talk with the Intern and the Supervisor to make an alternate plan.

What if the Intern can’t handle my case?

When you contact us for an appointment, we will carefully evaluate whether the services you need are something our practice can provide. We will assign a therapist to your case based on that therapist’s training and ability. If we don’t believe you should work with an Intern, we will let you know and explain why we think that’s the case. If something happens during your work with our team that changes the kind of service you need, we will discuss options for transferring to other resources within or beyond our practice. This process is the same regardless of whether you are working with an Intern or a licensed therapist.

How long is an internship? What happens when the Intern’s internship ends?

We have carefully selected Interns who can be with us for a year or more. When the Intern completes their internship, you will have a choice whether to transfer to seeing another therapist in our practice or be referred elsewhere.

If the Intern is hired to become a therapist in our practice, there may be a waiting period before they can work with you as a licensed therapist. The Intern must pass a comprehensive exam and submit an application to the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to obtain a license to practice in Maryland. Unfortunately, this can take several months. An intern who graduates in May will likely begin practicing as a licensed therapist between July and September.

Julia Camara’s internship will be complete in March 2027.