Hi, I'm Dr. Julia Sen
I want children to feel understood.
That's the heart of everything I do.
When a child feels understood, they feel connected. When they feel connected, they can blossom, from the inside out. That's the magic for parenting today!
A bit about me: interview style!
Why did you decide to do this work?
Since I was a child I’ve always wanted to help children. My original dream was to become a pediatrician, because, as a South Asian, becoming a doctor was the obvious choice! My science grades, however, had a different idea and med school wasn’t going to be an option! So, I pivoted. If I couldn’t get an MD, at least I could get a PhD, and still continue the family tradition of Dr. Sen, especially because I was going to be the first woman in the family to do so.
After obtaining my PhD in psychology I completed the licensing process in Ontario, Canada. I had a full-time practice, where I supported incredible clients through their challenging journeys with fertility and parenting. Within a few sessions, parents I worked with were telling me how they went from constant worry to giving their kids the benefit of the doubt and how they were showing signs of being less anxious, more open, and confident.
Was there a secret formula?
I love pattern recognition! Over the many years of working with parents, I noticed the same thing again and again. When I helped a parent understand what might be happening within their child, from a developmental and emotional lens, the parent’s fears softened and they were able to see things from a different perspective. Parents I worked with consistently shared how their child began to navigate challenges with greater ease, be more connected, and feel more confident. All because they felt understood.
You tell people you can easily stand in the shoes of their children, how do you do that?
Think of me as an interpreter. I translate what your child is feeling, especially in the moments when you're overwhelmed and you “just can’t” (trust me, we’ve all been there).
Children rarely have the words for what's happening inside them. So I listen to your stories, help you connect back within yourself to then understand your child’s experience. Until now we were modeled to react to behaviours. Now, we have the privilege of learning how to understand our children. That's why I work through parents, not around them. You're the most powerful person in your child's world!
You have two adult daughters. Did you always parent so your children feel understood?
Not a chance! I wish I could say I had this wisdom in their early years. I, like all the generations before me, parented from an adult knows best place. Until I started noticing shifts in my children that scared me. Shameful looks in their eyes, angry outbursts, yelling matches that left me feeling guilty and them feeling alone. Thankfully I was studying psychology and started to become fascinated (i.e. obsessed!) by the work of Dr. Dan Siegel on attachment, and later the work of Dr. Shefali Tsabary on breaking generational patterns through conscious parenting. Through my education, curiosity, and guilt 😉, I began to make very intentional changes, within myself, and my parenting. Fast forward and I know my children would say they are grateful for my changes, because they’ve told me!
What's something courageous you've done that you're proud of?
Resigning as a registered psychologist. It was not a quick or easy decision but one I feel privileged to have made. I spent years working one on one with parents, but my practice became full. Since parenting is a journey, my clients were in it with me! I loved that but I also knew the little girl in me who wanted to make a positive impact for as many children as possible felt stuck.
I spent time creating small group programs for moms but it still felt limiting. I knew the programs worked well but something inside said I needed to reach more parents who wanted to make the changes, just like me and my clients, and I wanted to make it in an accessible way. To find these parents I needed to expand beyond Ontario, which I couldn’t do with my license as a psychologist.
My goal is to build a movement through Supported, a community of parents who are ready to make the changes, so together we can model how to raise successful children who know they matter and that they belong, from the inside out.
So as hard as it was to let go of being a registered psychologist, I knew I had to make the change in order to create the change for our children (and for ourselves)!
What makes you smile?
The ocean! You know when the wave starts to curl and you can see the glass-like centre of it! I could literally spend hours just staring at each one!
Acronyms. Once you get to know my work you will see how many programs/methods I created with acronyms!
Alternative therapies like energy medicine, subliminals, spirituality, sound meditation
DJing, drumming, and dancing
Getting to meet and know you! If you’ve read this far I’m impressed! I truly look forward to getting the chance to interact with you. Send me an email, DM me on instagram! I love making new connections.