Julia Sharkey studied Psychology and Sociology at Stellenbosch University before moving on to complete her Honours degree in Psychology through the University of South Africa. She then completed an Advanced Certificate in Counselling and Communications through the South African college of Applied Psychology. During this time period Julia specialized in addiction counselling and treatment, although her other specialties include self-esteem and motivation, crisis and trauma and family and relationships counselling.

Julia completed her clinical training and was certified in Core Training in the Matrix Model of Evidence Based Intensive Alcohol and Drug Treatment.

While studying, she did a practical study at Ixande, an inpatient treatment center in Cape Town. Julia then worked as an addictions counsellor at two different treatment facilities in the Cape Town area, Seascape House and Tharagay House, where she saw clients for one on one therapy, ran group therapies and gave lectures on addiction related topics, as well as on ‘self-esteem and motivation’ and ‘relationships’.

Julia has a passion for working in the field of addiction and she aims to help individuals who need more intensive care for drug and alcohol addiction. To this end, she runs an out-patient program after hours so that these individuals are able to resume their daily responsibilities, such as work, studying or parental responsibilities; as well as brief intervention for individuals who do not need intensive care.

Furthermore, Julia offers psychological counselling to clients suffering from conditions such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, among others.

Julia Sharkey opened her own independent practice in March 2015, with the goal of helping individuals who have any drug or alcohol related problems by providing the best care possible.

For more information, take a look at her website at Stellenbosch Care