Hi! I’m Julie Ponder, and I am excited to meet you. I am the co-partner and president of a Psychiatric Associates of Central Illinois and the founder of Pastures of Hope and J. Ponder Counseling & Coaching. I have been an LCSW and a certified addiction counselor in Illinois for over 27 years. Most recently, I have earned my certification as a life coach and am the behavioral specialist at Losin’ It with Sonya Jones. I have also completed training in Ketogenic dieting for mental health through Georgia Ede MD.

I am passionate about helping people enjoy their life and all it has to offer. I have walked through grief in many areas of my life and use my experience of loss to empower others to show that healing is possible. I am particularly passionate about working with individuals to manage addiction, eating disorders, and trauma.