ABOUT US

A Place to Feel Calm, Connected & Cared For

Lakeside Psychology provides a warm and welcoming experience that aids emotional healing. My highly collaborative and personalized approach meets you were you are and helps you feel connected to the process.

With empathy, compassion and support, I’ll put you and your child at ease throughout our work. And my therapy dog, Bear, never fails to bring welcome smiles and good feelings to every session.

bios

Your Lakeside Care Team

Dr. Julie McKay

Psy.D., LP

I am a bubbly, energetic and warm person who loves her job and cares deeply about the people I support. It’s a joy and a privilege to team up with you and your child as I strive to create a safe space where you feel accepted on your good and bad days. I want to extend hope for a better tomorrow and help you and your child leave therapy feeling more confident and capable to handle life’s challenges.

Bear McKay

TDI-Certified, Animal Assisted-Therapy

Bear is my 85-lb. giant Goldendoodle, and is a useful addition to therapy. We are trained as a therapy team registered with Therapy Dogs International. He is often the first “person” clients want to see, and he helps people tune into their body, practice breathing and relaxation, and is an instant companion. Bear enjoys tending to his stuffed dinosaur, getting belly rubs, and attempting to be a lap dog.

experience

Putting in the Work to Earn Your Trust

Certifications

Education

Continuing Education & Training

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

PCIT Certification – Awarded in 2018
PCIT – Older Child (ages 7-10) Training – 2021
PCIT – Older Child (ages 7-10) — Year long consultation with Dr. Cheryl McNeil 2021-2022
PCIT International Biennial Conference – 2021
PCIT with Non-Responders and children with Autism – 2020

OCD & Anxiety Treatment

Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety – Exposure and Response Prevention for the Treatment of OCD – Intensive Training – 2021
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety – Pediatric OCD Training – 2022
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety – Case Consultation group with Elizabeth Turk-Karan – 2022
SPACE – Supporting Parents of Anxious Childhood Emotions – Training Workshop with Eli Lebowitz – Yale University – Child Study Center – 2020

Pediatric Sleep

Behavioral Sleep Medicine – Pediatric Sleep Case Seminar w/ Lisa Meltzer and Jodi Mindell – 2023
Behavioral Sleep Medicine – Basics of Behavioral Sleep Medicine w/ Lisa Meltzer and Jodi Mindell – 2023

ADHD

Changing the ADHD Brain – Moving Beyond Medication – 2020
Getting Stuff Done – Terri Delaney – 2021
Executive Function – ADHD and Stress in the Classroom – 2021
Smart but Scattered Adults – Managing ADHD by targeting Executive Functioning Skills – 2023

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health

DC:0-5 – Assessing children birth to 5 – 2015 and 2017
Member at Large for the MN Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Board – 2015-2021
Zero To Three Learn Conference – 2023, 2016, 2015
Strange Situation Training – Classification for A, B, and C Types – 2020
U of M – Instructor for Infant Observation course – Early Childhood Masters Program 2020-2021
Ongoing reflective consultation with Dr. Susan Schultz – 2021-current
FAN – Certified – Fussy Baby Network – 2015
Working Model of the Child Interview – 2015
Crowell Problem Solving Procedure – 2015
ASQ and ASQ-SE Trained – 2015

Relational Trauma & Setting Healthy Boundaries

Grow Your Wise Adult Skills Class – Terri Delaney – Fall 2022

Integrated Behavioral Health & Primary Care

Healthy Steps – Certified Healthy Steps Visitor – 2021
Behavioral Health in Primary Care – Cherokee Health Systems – 2019

information

Frequently Asked Questions

Who attends the intake?

Younger children typically have parent-only intakes, while older children start with a joint parent-child session and then shift to sessions without parents. We can finalize this when scheduling.

How do I tell my child I am bringing them to therapy?

Be honest, kind, and age-appropriate when telling your child about attending therapy. Reassure young children they won’t get a shot, and let older children know they can choose who’s in the room. If you’re unsure how your child will respond, I’m happy to help.

What is the first session like?

In the intake session, we’ll discuss your goals for therapy, how the challenges arose, and begin developing a treatment plan. I’ll pace it to your child’s readiness and may meet with them alone, depending on your preference.

Will I be expected to do anything in between sessions?

Yes, my approach to therapy is similar to piano lessons or physical therapy. You’ll learn new skills and process difficult emotions in sessions, but lasting change comes from what you do in between. Be prepared for some homework.

Will you meet with me without my child?

Absolutely. Many challenging behaviors and anxiety disorders are best addressed through parenting, particularly for younger children.

What if my child doesn't want to go to therapy?

If a child/teen poses a safety risk to themselves or others, take them to the ER for evaluation and therapy recommendations. This is essential. Otherwise, whether or not therapy is right for your child depends. Let them know they can stop therapy if I am not the right fit or it’s not helping. You can also model the importance of therapy by going yourself or meeting with me without them.

Can you see my whole family?

No, I am not trained as a family therapist.

Will a parent need to be at all appointments or can a relative bring my child?

At least one parent is required at appointments unless arranged with me in advance. Parent involvement is essential to my approach to therapy, especially for younger children. Late middle school and high school students typically have sessions alone, but parents are expected to attend separate sessions to stay involved.

How long does therapy take?

The length of therapy varies. Some concerns see improvement in as short as 3 months, while others may take 6-12 months. We’ll discuss your child’s specific needs together.

Can I pay by HSA or FSA?

You can pay by HSA. Double check your FSA guidelines to see if this is a qualified expense.

Do you take insurance?

I am out of network for all insurances. You can find information on my rates on the Services page.

My child is allergic to dogs, can I still bring them to see you?

To avoid allergic reactions, I’m happy to recommend other psychologists/therapists who don’t offer animal-assisted therapy.

Is there anything you do not treat?

I am not trained or equipped with a support team to treat self-harm, suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, abuse, substance use disorders, feeding or eating disorders, certain autism disorders, or high conflict divorce actively in litigation.