About
Hi. I’m Dr. Julie Hanks!
Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Dr. Julie Hanks is a licensed therapist, coach, bestselling author, relationship expert, media contributor, content creator, sought-after speaker, and award-winning songwriter. With over 30 years of experience counseling women, couples, and families, Dr. Hanks is a compassionate advocate for emotional well-being and personal empowerment. She is the founder and executive director of Wasatch Family Therapy, LLC, where she leads a thriving team dedicated to transforming lives through therapy throughout Utah. She is a former assistant professor of social work at Utah Valley University where she serves as adjunct faculty sharing her clinical expertise and mentoring with social work students.
Recognized as one of the top online mental health influencers, Dr. Hanks connects with an extensive and deeply engaged social media following, offering relatable insights and actionable advice. Her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Day, Parenting, Reader’s Digest, and Redbook, and she has appeared on-camera for Fox News, KSL TV’s Studio 5, Discovery Health, TLC, and more.
Dr. Hanks’ first book, The Burnout Cure: An Emotional Survival Guide for Overwhelmed Women, was inspired by her decade-long work with Latter-day Saint women battling emotional exhaustion and the relentless “never good enough” mindset. Her follow-up book, The Assertiveness Guide for Women: How to Communicate Your Needs, Set Healthy Boundaries, and Transform Your Relationships, empowers women to claim their voice and build healthier, more fulfilling connections. Grounded in attachment theory, it provides practical tools and exercises to transform relationships and foster authenticity.
In addition to her clinical work and writing, Dr. Hanks has built a remarkable career as an award-winning performing songwriter, known to many as Julie de Azevedo. Over the past three decades, she has released 10 solo albums, contributed to numerous projects, and created heartfelt songs that explore the complexities of relationships. Her latest EP, The Gravity of Love, showcases six poignant tracks that delve into love and connection.
Dr. Hanks’ is as a wife, mother of four adult children, and proud grandmother to five grandchildren. Her personal and professional life reflect her mission: helping others live with authenticity, purpose, and connection.