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Elva 'Julia' Garafola, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Elva is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Elva. View 43 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Texas and Missouri

Recent reviews

Elva is extremely supportive and a wonderful person. She had listened and helped guide me through a really rough time. I truly believe she has be instrumental in the process of my healing. You won't go wrong with her!

Reviewed November 2024

So far Julia has been so great!! She knows exactly where to take the conversation and her experience really shows. From someone hesitant to therapy she has made me feel so comfortable in only 3 visits.

Reviewed November 2024

More about Elva

  • 12 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

Ms. Garafola received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Texas Woman's University and earned her Master's degree in Mental Health and Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, as well as her Associate's degree in Nutrition from Tarrant County College.

Over the past ten years, she has had the opportunity to work with seniors and their families in a myriad of settings to include end of life issues, chronic illness, grief and loss, life transitions, caregiver issues and aging parents. Ms. Garafola practices client-centered philosophy, utilizing cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. She believes in developing a non-judgmental and trusting therapeutic relationship with each client in order to provide guidance in discovering qualities and strengths, tools, and skills they can use in maneuvering life's challenges.

Ms. Garafola's happy place is the beach has relocated from Texas to Florida where she lives with her husband and 15 year old pup Lola. Spending time outside in the sunshine biking and gardening are activities of choice, as well as dining out, shopping, traveling, and family vacations with her adult children. She is active in her church as well as her husband's vacation property business.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Grief Depression Coping with life changes LGBT Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Sleeping disorders Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Career difficulties Compassion fatigue Abandonment Adoption and foster care Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issues Blended family issues Body image Caregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issues Coping with natural or human-caused disaster Divorce and separation Domestic violence Eating and food-related issues Emptiness Family of origin issues Family problems Forgiveness Gender dysphoria Guilt and shame HIV / AIDS Hoarding Hospice and end-of-life counseling Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Money and financial issues Mood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacks Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Self-love Sexuality Women's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Attachment-Based Therapy
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Elva 'Julia' Garafola's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1790247864.

  • LCSW · Texas · 56813 · Expires April 2026
  • LCSW · Missouri · 2024038145 · Expires September 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.

Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.

Reviews for Elva 'Julia' Garafola

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

43 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Helped Helping Comfortable Professional Recommend Helpful Supportive Wonderful Thank you

Elva is extremely supportive and a wonderful person. She had listened and helped guide me through a really rough time. I truly believe she has be instrumental in the process of my healing. You won't go wrong with her!

Reviewed November 2024

So far Julia has been so great!! She knows exactly where to take the conversation and her experience really shows. From someone hesitant to therapy she has made me feel so comfortable in only 3 visits.

Reviewed November 2024

She really listened and made me feel like I was being heard. I look forward to working more with her in the future

Reviewed November 2024

Happy to find a therapist that has life experience to understand and has knowledge to help me move forward.

Reviewed July 2024

I feel so comfortable with Julia. I received the perfect balance in our sessions. Her listening and understanding, then suggesting. I had to discontinue due to financial hardship but suffered w/o her. Now, thankfully I get her again. A new start. A new chapter!

Reviewed April 2024

I have only had one session with Julia so far but I knew immediately that we were a good fit. We had some similarities that she was open to sharing with me, that really led me to feel comfortable. She encouraged me to journal in the BetterHelp app between our sessions and when she is free, she reads my journal entries and thoughtfully responds to them. I am very excited to continue meeting with her moving forward.

Reviewed April 2024

I have so enjoyed my time with Julia. She makes me feel hopeful and has great suggestions to help with things I am wanting to focus on. She is awesome!

Reviewed March 2024

Julia has/is helping me discover a path in this season of my life that rings with truth and wisdom. She is helping me find myself again. I appreciate her so much.

Reviewed February 2024

I've only had one session at this time. The only thing I can really comments is that Mrs Garafola is a good listener, very professional and empathetic.

Reviewed August 2023

She is great!

Reviewed April 2022

I appreciate how she helps me determine what is best for me.

Reviewed November 2023

Julia has helped me so much. I truly used to be an emotional mess and I do not feel that way anymore. I thought I would be in therapy for at least a year, and Julia helped me work through major issues I had been struggling with in the span of three months. After each session, I felt better and better. I can truly say I am in my best mental health that I have felt in a decade...all thanks to Julia! If you are looking for a true professional who will help your with you problems quickly, I highly recommend Julia.

Reviewed November 2023

She’s amazing! Changed my life in a short period of time!

Reviewed November 2023

Julia is kind caring and empathetic and also able to let me know what is working for me and what isn't. She asks a lot of questions which makes me feel like she cares and is engaged in what I am communicating to her. I am excited about the future and getting healthy and well.

Reviewed August 2023

She listens and connects!

Reviewed August 2023

A wonderfully responsive, emotionally intelligent leader. I enjoyed our session.

Reviewed August 2023

Julia is amazing, she helped me through one of the roughest periods in my life and showed me what my worth is. She pays attension and makes you feel comfortable. 10 out of 10, would recommend!

Reviewed June 2023

She listens well, is intuitive and compassionate

Reviewed April 2023

She is just awesome. I have enjoyed talking with her. And I am so looking forward to our sessions every week. She’s just great!

Reviewed March 2023

I’ve been through years of therapy with many different counselors and Julia has by far been the best. She has always been honest, open minded, unbiased, and caring. I always feel that she is there for me even though I’ve never met her in real life. She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met and i really respect her and appreciate the respect and effort she’s put into me.

Reviewed March 2023

Julia Garafola is very supportive. She’s a good listener and that makes it very easy to talk to her. I enjoy talking to her and I usually feel 100% better after our conversations.

Reviewed February 2023

She makes me feel special, like I am a needed person in the world.

Reviewed January 2023

She is such a great listener and really helps you work through the problem even when you feel stuck. Julia has helped me work through a difficult time in my life by actively listening and sharing her professional experience explained really well.

Reviewed December 2022

Julia is such a great listener and guides you to see the truth for all that it is. She is uplifting but also helps you to see where you need to be challenged

Reviewed November 2022

Julia is a God send. She helps me with real solutions to help me work through the challenges I face now and those from my past.

Reviewed November 2022

She’s great. Really helps me think about my situation on a granular level

Reviewed November 2022

I have already shared this around my office for others that may need help. It’s been wonderful.

Reviewed November 2022

Julia is really good at helping me help myself! I graduated from some issues a year ago and back to tackle some other stuff this year.

Reviewed November 2022

A great therapist, feels like a friend you can talk to after a while. Very helpful in giving nice insight on how one thinks, and gives good advice. Honestly a good person to talk to while sipping some tea, very calming and relaxing.

Reviewed November 2022

Julia is a superhero. She got me through my divorce and helped me work out some childhood traumas. I wouldn’t be here without her.

Reviewed August 2022

Julia is very relatable and easy to talk to. She has been wonderful helping me to explore the reasons for my breakdown and to find ways to keep busy and correct the patters that lead me here. I hope I will never need a therapist, but if I do, I hope she will be available again.

Reviewed July 2022

She is awesome, very kind and thorough. She makes you feel like you matter.

Reviewed April 2022

i really feel Julia is helping me

Reviewed April 2022

Julia has been my lifeline! I was having a tough time just getting through each day after the death of the two most loved people in my life, my mom and my husband, which happened two months apart. Julia is a kind, compassionate and patient person. She is a best friend and honestly, I don’t know where I would be today without her. Thanks to Julia, I am such a better place and am able to move on with my life. I highly recommend Julia if you are looking for a therapist who is understanding, down-to-earth and truly cares. Thank you Julia!

Reviewed April 2022

Thoroughly enjoy Julia’s expertise. She’s been very helpful.

Reviewed March 2022

Julia is a professional counselor who has excellent interpersonal skills, a compassionate heart and provides great, non-judgmental advice. I desired a counselor with a Christian focus and Julia has done an excellent job representing a Christian perspective in my counseling sessions. I highly recommend her!

Reviewed January 2022

She’s very down to earth and compassionate

Reviewed January 2022

Julia is the best! I’ve become comfortable with her and her counsel faster than any of the other four therapists I’ve had in the past. I’m blessed to have her on my team

Reviewed November 2021

Julia is sensible, compassionate and supportive. She gives great feedback and so far I’m very happy with our sessions.

Reviewed November 2021

My sessions with Julia have been very helpful. I have already recommended Better Help and Julia specifically to other people who might need this service.

Reviewed November 2021

This is my first time talking to a therapist and I am so happy with Elva “Julia” Garafola. I was scared I would get a therapist that didn’t have experience in what I wanted to talk about but she did! I like how I can message her and she responds fast! Thank you for all you do.

Reviewed September 2021

I was hesitant and nervous to start counseling, but was amazed at how quickly Julia became a friend. I had some nerves before sessions, not wanting to dive into deep feelings and talk about hard things. But Julia has a way of guiding conversation that put me right at ease and I was always so much lighter after speaking with her. She was fun, encouraging, and such a sweet soul. Thank you, Julia for helping me find the good in life again.

Reviewed September 2021

Julia is great. She checks on on me which I love and need during the week and it always feels like genuine

Reviewed July 2021

How was your experience with Elva?

Frequently asked questions

Does Elva 'Julia' Garafola offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Elva 'Julia' Garafola works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Elva 'Julia' Garafola speak?

Elva 'Julia' Garafola speaks English.

How many years of experience does Elva 'Julia' Garafola have?

Elva 'Julia' Garafola has 12 years of experience.

Where is Elva 'Julia' Garafola licensed to practice?

Elva 'Julia' Garafola is licensed to practice in Texas and Missouri.

Does Elva 'Julia' Garafola accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Elva 'Julia' Garafola does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Elva 'Julia' Garafola offer?

Elva 'Julia' Garafola offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Elva 'Julia' Garafola?

Elva 'Julia' Garafola can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Elva 'Julia' Garafola?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

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When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.