About: Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW

Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW, is a clinical neuropsychologist with over 18 years of experience in mental health and career counseling. A University of Oregon graduate, he specializes in psychology and therapy careers, contributing to Pacific Behavioral Insights and speaking at the Northwest Clinical Forum.

Recent Posts by Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW

How to Become a Recreational Therapist: Salary, Degrees & Certification Guide

How to Become a Recreational Therapist: Salary, Degrees & Certification Guide
Quick Answer Recreational therapists use activities like sports, arts, and games to help patients recover from injuries, illnesses, and disabilities. They earn a median salary of $60,280 and need a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, a 560-hour internship, and CTRS certification to practice. Sometimes the best medicine doesn't come from a pill bottle. Physical therapy,…
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Counselor Salary 2026: How Much Do Counselors Make?

Counselor Salary 2026: How Much Do Counselors Make?
Quick Answer Mental health counselors earn a median salary of $59,190 annually, according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. School and career counselors earn $67,670, while rehabilitation counselors earn $47,330. Your actual salary depends on your specialization, location, education level, and whether you're licensed or certified. [xyz_feat_school] If you're considering a career in counseling,…
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Social Worker vs Psychologist: Career Comparison Guide

Social Worker vs Psychologist: Career Comparison Guide
Quick Answer Social workers (MSW, 2 years) focus on connecting clients with community resources and addressing environmental factors causing distress, earning a median of $61,330. Psychologists (doctorate, 5–7 years) treat mental health conditions through individual therapy and assessment, earning a median of $94,310. Social workers take a holistic, systems-based approach while psychologists focus on internal…
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What is a PsyD Degree? Programs, Careers & Salary 2026

What is a PsyD Degree? Programs, Careers & Salary 2026
Quick Answer A PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) is a doctoral degree emphasizing clinical practice and patient care over research. PsyD programs typically take 4-6 years, include extensive supervised clinical training, and prepare graduates for licensure as clinical psychologists with median salaries of $96,100 annually. [xyz_feat_school] Most people know psychologists have advanced training and a doctoral…
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What is a Behavioral Psychologist?

Quick Answer Behavioral psychologists study how environmental factors shape human behavior and use evidence-based techniques like operant and classical conditioning to help people change problematic patterns. They earn a median salary of $94,310 annually, require at least a master's degree (doctorate for clinical practice), and work in diverse settings from schools and hospitals to private…
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Essential Psychologist Skills: Complete Guide 2026

Quick Answer Psychologists need eight essential professional competencies: empathy, analytical intelligence, patience, insight, communication, curiosity, flexibility, and diligence. These skills develop through 5-7 years of doctoral training plus 1,500-4,000 hours of supervised experience (depending on state licensure requirements and specialization). Different psychology specializations emphasize different skill combinations, with clinical psychologists focusing on empathy and communication…
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Clinical Psychologist Salary 2026: How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?

Quick Answer Clinical psychologists earn a median annual salary of $96,100 as of May 2023 (latest available BLS data). Entry-level positions (10th-25th percentile) typically start at $48,820-$66,050, while experienced professionals in the top 10% nationally earn $168,870 or more. Salary varies significantly by location, specialization, work setting, and years of experience. If you're considering a…
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Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Key Differences & Career Paths

Quick Answer The main difference between psychologists and psychiatrists is their medical training and prescriptive authority. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete medical school and can prescribe medication, while psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) focused exclusively on mental health and usually can't prescribe medication. Both can provide therapy, but…
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How to Set Professional Boundaries in Psychology: A Complete Guide for Therapists

Quick Answer Professional boundaries in psychology are ethical limits that define appropriate behavior between therapist and client. They protect both parties by limiting self-disclosure, avoiding dual relationships, maintaining confidentiality, and setting clear communication rules. Licensed psychologists must follow APA Ethics Code Section 3.05, which prohibits multiple relationships that could impair professional judgment or risk exploitation.…
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How Does Memory Work?

How Does Memory Work?
Quick Answer Memory works through three stages: encoding (capturing and processing information through your senses), storage (saving it in short-term or long-term memory), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed). You can enhance your memory by getting quality sleep, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and focusing your attention on what you want…
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