Caring with a conscience – Julia Hosie

Caring with a conscience

– Julia Hosie

Clinical Psychologist Dr Julia Hosie has built an impressive career focusing on improving people’s everyday lives. She talks about what motivates her to help others, the challenges, and rewards of her position … and of course, her love of Porsches. ‘I started off my career in clinical and forensic work, initially spending significant time working in the prison system while undertaking my Doctorate,’ Julia explains. ‘I’ve since had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, and I genuinely feel fortunate that so many have chosen to share their stories with me.’

Julia divides her time between two practices. ‘I work in St Kilda, primarily with LBGTIQ+ clients,’ she says. ‘At my other practice on the Mornington Peninsula, I largely deal with elderly clients.’ Her clients are linked by the common theme of uncertainty. ‘During the pandemic, many of my patients had been dealing with uncertainty due to Covid, particularly as manifested in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),’ Julia confirms. ‘In lockdown, some people found it extremely difficult not being able to access their usual activities and support,’ she says. ‘With OCD, the first thing to learn is to become comfortable with uncertainty, which is mainly done through exposure response prevention therapy. ‘This technique involves provoking those uncertain feelings, then learning to sit with them,’ she expands. ‘You have to learn that your emotions will rise and wash over you like a wave. The greater frequency to these exposures, the more you become comfortable with the feeling.’ g

Several common misunderstandings make treating patients with OCD more challenging. ‘OCD is a term that gets thrown around imprecisely, with many people thinking it involves merely washing your hands excessively or wanting everything in perfect order.’ The reality, though, is more serious. ‘OCD is really debilitating,’ says Julia. ‘Those obsessions and compulsions can take up over eight hours of someone’s day, rendering them unable to be fully present and focused on living a meaningful life.’ During the pandemic, Julia struck a balance. ‘I was primarily working from St Kilda; however, over lockdown we spent more time at our house in Blairgowrie,’ she says. ‘My partner Tony and I are lucky enough to live there around half the week, with the remainder spent in Melbourne. This suits him well as he’s an actor, writer and director who works all over Australia.’

While Julia has found her pandemic work very fulfilling, she’s careful to look after herself. ‘I’ve had to be mindful of getting burnt out, and take preventative steps,’ she says. ‘I might do eight 50-minute sessions in one day when I’m working one-on-one with clients, which is a lot of people’s lives to hold.’ Julia’s focused on family and travel outside of work, as well as good food and good friends. ‘I have two children (Lewis, 22 and Olivia, 19) and a stepson (Kristian, 20),’ she says. ‘Lewis studied jazz piano at the Victorian College of the Arts, and is finally able to perform live gigs again; Liv is studying biomedicine and engineering at Melbourne Uni, and teaching Acro Dance in her spare time; and Kristian has recently moved to the Sunshine Coast to spend time with his mother.’

Wedding bells are also around the corner for Julia. ‘Tony and I are getting married in October,’ she confirms. ‘We’d planned to marry in Greece, but Covid put the brakes on our plans. After two years of lockdowns, we’re very excited to hold a celebration of food, music, love and friendships for friends and family who have supported us on our journey. I feel so grateful to have found someone to share this journey of life with.’ Julia also has a huge soft spot for Porsches. ‘I’ve just bought Elsa, my Frozen Blue Taycan, which I love because she’s fun,’ she says. ‘Elsa brings the basic human need of joy into my life after sitting through a tough day.’ She’s also impressed with Taycan’s sustainability features. ‘I was keen to own an electric vehicle, largely for environmental reasons, and checked out all the competition. Porsche provided me with the opportunity to be environmentally responsible, but in a vehicle that was fun to drive, and certainly a sexier ride than the others on offer. I loved the colour options and how comfortable the drive was.’

It didn’t take long for Julia and Tony to fall for the Porsche. ‘Jake Parsons took us for a ride (faster than I’ll probably ever go!) and showed us what it had to offer,’ she remembers. ‘It felt so smooth, even at that speed – and as part of the beauty of being electric, there’s even front and rear storage! ‘In an instant, our decision was made. We’re delighted with the car, and love not having to stop for petrol.’ There you have it. Sustainability, storage, silence, and speed … the Taycan has it all. •