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 an Experimental Psychologist: Career Guide 2026

How to Become an Experimental Psychologist: Career Guide 2026
Quick Answer Experimental psychologists use scientific methods to study human behavior, cognition, and learning through controlled research. Becoming one typically requires a PhD (8-10 years of education), with 2024 median salaries around $102,000. Most work in academic research, government agencies, or private research institutions, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings to advance psychological science.…
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How to Know If Your Therapy Is Working: 9 Signs of Effective Treatment

How to Know If Your Therapy Is Working: 9 Signs of Effective Treatment

Effective therapy includes nine key elements: a non-judgmental environment where you feel safe sharing, a clear focus on your personal goals, evidence-based treatment approaches, regular progress reviews, strict confidentiality (with apparent exceptions), respect for your cultural beliefs, active listening from your therapist, professional boundaries, and a therapeutic (not personal) relationship. If your therapist provides these elements, you're receiving quality care that can lead to meaningful change.

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Exposure Therapy Guide 2026: How It Works, Effectiveness & What to Expect

Exposure Therapy Guide 2026: How It Works, Effectiveness & What to Expect

Exposure therapy is a proven psychological treatment that helps people overcome anxiety disorders by gradually and safely confronting feared situations, objects, or memories. Effectiveness varies by condition, ranging from approximately 80-90% for specific phobias to 60-80% for PTSD and 60-70% for OCD when conducted by licensed therapists over 8-16 sessions.

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Group Therapy: Complete Guide to Types, Benefits, and Finding the Right Fit

Group Therapy: Complete Guide to Types, Benefits, and Finding the Right Fit
Quick Answer Group therapy brings together 5-15 people with similar experiences under a licensed therapist's guidance to share struggles, learn coping strategies, and reduce isolation. It's effective for depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, typically costs $40-100 per session (less than individual therapy), and works best when combined with one-on-one counseling. Struggling with mental health challenges…
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How to Become a Neurologist: Career Guide 2026

How to Become a Neurologist: Career Guide 2026
Quick Answer To become a neurologist, you need to complete a bachelor's degree (4 years), medical school (4 years), pass the USMLE or COMLEX exams, complete a 1-year internship, and finish a 3-year neurology residency. Neurologists earn a mean annual salary of $271,470 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with Medscape reporting an average…
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How to Become a Sex Therapist: Education, Salary & Career Guide 2026

How to Become a Sex Therapist: Education, Salary & Career Guide 2026
Quick Answer Sex therapists help individuals and couples overcome sexual difficulties through clinical counseling. To become a certified sex therapist, you'll need a master's degree in psychology, counseling, or social work (typically 6-8 years total education), complete 300+ hours of specialized sex therapy training, obtain AASECT certification, and secure state licensure. As of 2024, marriage…
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10 Bad Habits Sabotaging Your Mental Health in 2026

10 Bad Habits Sabotaging Your Mental Health in 2026
Quick Answer Ten everyday habits can seriously damage your mental health: perfectionism, poor posture, chronic guilt, lack of exercise, failure mindset, social media overuse, excessive smartphone use, persistent regret, co-dependency, and poor sleep. Research shows these behaviors increase depression and anxiety risk by disrupting brain chemistry, eroding self-esteem, and preventing healthy coping mechanisms. The good…
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7 Quick & Easy Mental Health Exercises to Help You Through Your Day

7 Quick & Easy Mental Health Exercises to Help You Through Your Day
Quick Answer Mental health counseling techniques are evidence-based interventions that licensed counselors use to help clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. These include breathing exercises, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness practices, and behavioral activation. Mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $59,190 and typically require a master's degree, as well as…
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12 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Therapist

12 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Therapist
Quick Answer Becoming a therapist requires realistic expectations about gradually building trust with clients (typically 4-6 months for significant breakthroughs), maintaining your own emotional health, and understanding your role as a facilitator rather than a "fixer." The pre-licensure period involves 2,000-4,000 supervised clinical hours, depending on your state. Median salaries are around $53,710 for mental…
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How to Become a Psychiatrist: Career Path, Salary & Requirements 2026

How to Become a Psychiatrist: Career Path, Salary & Requirements 2026

A psychiatrist's career combines medical training with mental health treatment, requiring an MD or DO degree, a four-year residency, and board certification. Psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders, prescribe medications, and provide therapy. The median annual salary is $226,880, with a projected 6% job growth through 2031.

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