As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Julie Sweet.
Julie Sweet is a clinical Psychotherapist and founder of Seaway Counselling and Psychotherapy, based in Sydney’s eastern suburbs at Bondi Junction. With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, Julie supports individuals in navigating life’s challenges, building resilience, and fostering emotional well-being.
Her expertise and insights have been widely featured across leading media outlets, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, ABC News, Vogue, Sunday Life, Women’s Health, Grazia, MamaMia, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Body+Soul, and many more. She has also partnered with brands such as Ninja Thirsti Water Bottle Australia and Bumble For Friends, further expanding her impact in the wellness space.
Through her work in therapy, public speaking, and media contributions, Julie is dedicated to breaking down stigma around mental health and helping people create meaningful, sustainable change in their lives.
In this interview, she reveals the mindset shifts, bold moves, and lessons that helped her turn ideas into impactful online businesses.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and how did your journey begin?
My journey began with a longing – a deep pull toward becoming a psychotherapist. Starting my own clinical practice was never about business in the traditional sense, it was about honouring that calling. Over time, it grew into something larger, a way of creating space where people could feel truly seen, heard, and valued. For me, entrepreneurship has never been about chasing success or competition, I’m not competitive, it has always been about service – walking beside people in their most vulnerable moments, bearing witness to their stories, and holding that trust with care. That, to me, is the truest measure of accomplishment.
I describe myself as something of a late bloomer. I recently turned 50, and my career path was far from linear. I didn’t go to uni straight out of school, instead, I returned in my early thirties as a mature-age student after beginning my own therapy and self-examination. Leaving the corporate world, I studied full time while also working full time, determined to follow this path. I secured a role in the mental health industry before graduating and never looked back. More than 13 years later, I still feel privileged every day to do this work.
Why did you choose to focus your business on serving women, and what does that mission mean to you personally?
This focus grew naturally. It wasn’t a business plan, it was something that unfolded as I found myself surrounded by women – colleagues, individual and group therapists, mentors, clinical supervisors, friends, and clients (who became the village that sustains me). My business was never built alone, it has been shaped by community. Of course, I also work with men, who I learn from, yet serving women feels deeply personal. It’s a way of giving back to the village that carried me and affirming that women deserve spaces of safety, healing, and empowerment.
What makes your business or brand unique in today’s market?
I don’t think of my practice as “unique” in the branding sense. Therapy, to me, isn’t about standing out, it’s about standing with. My practice exists to hold space – for survivors, for clients, for anyone carrying untold stories. If there is something distinct about my approach, it is that I see therapy not as fixing, directing, or advising, but as a sacred act of witnessing. That orientation – person-centred, client-led, and deeply human guides every session.
What’s been one of the most rewarding moments in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
Honestly, the most rewarding moment was simply beginning. Taking the leap to build a clinical practice around what I love feels like a second chance at a career, and in many ways, a second life. There are days it still feels surreal – to wake up and realise this is my work. I genuinely love what I do, and I don’t take that for granted.
What challenges have you faced as a woman building a business for women, and how have you turned those challenges into fuel?
One challenge has been the quiet expectation that women should “do it all” – be competent, nurturing, resilient, and tireless all at once. I’ve felt that pressure, and often I’ve heard the faint voice of self-doubt (it’s also been very loud at times).
What turned that challenge into fuel was realising that vulnerability is not a weakness in business, it is a strength. By leaning into support, seeking clinical supervision, and asking for mentorship, I’ve grown not only as a professional but as a person. Success, I’ve learned, doesn’t mean solitary striving. Every obstacle has been an invitation to deepen community, challenge outdated narratives about women in leadership, and build a clinical practice that embodies compassion as much as competence.
Can you share a customer story or testimonial that reminded you why your work truly matters?
One story stays with me. Years ago, a client who had experienced racial vilification shared that my ethnicity initially triggered discomfort for them – echoes of their own conditioning. Instead of retreating, they chose to lean into that discomfort and bring it into the room. Together, we worked through it. To witness someone transform prejudice into presence was one of the greatest gifts of my career. It reminded me of the courage required for healing and of what I may represent to others when they encounter me. I’ll always carry gratitude for that client’s honesty.
What gaps or unmet needs did you notice in your industry that motivated you to build your own solution?
Too often therapy can feel overly clinical or transactional, leaving little room for deep humanity. I wanted to create a clinical practice where clients felt accompanied, not judged – where their stories were honoured rather than pathologised. For women especially, therapy has often focused on what’s “wrong” with them. My vision was to build something different – a clinical practice rooted in empathy, collaboration, and compassion, where healing is not about fixing but about remembering one’s wholeness and essence.
How do you stay motivated during the tough times or moments of doubt?
Doubt is part of being human. In those moments, I return to the stories of the clients I’ve worked with – their courage, their resilience, their willingness to step into the vulnerable work of healing while carrying trauma. Bearing witness to their strength reminds me how brave humans are. I also draw on my village – individual and group therapy, clinical supervision, mentors, colleagues, and my cherished tribe. Motivation, for me, isn’t about powering through alone, it’s about remembering I don’t have to. That’s important, especially in private practice.
What habits or routines help you stay focused, balanced, and productive as a founder?
I try to live what I encourage my clients to practice: grounding, rest, and reflection. Balance doesn’t always come easily. My mornings often begin with the busyness of an active toddler, a border collie, and a clinical practice. Still, I try to carve out space for journaling and set an intention each day, writing it on my bathroom mirror with liquid chalk. Walks morning and afternoon bring me peace. Clinical supervision and reflective practice keep me anchored. Evenings are for my partner and family before I return to work once the house is quieter. For me, productivity is not about constant output, it’s about sustainability.
How do you connect with your audience and build trust with the women you serve?
Trust isn’t something you can market, it’s something you build moment by moment. I connect with women by meeting them exactly where they are – without judgment, without agenda. Trust grows when women feel safe enough to bring their full selves into the room, even the parts they’ve hidden elsewhere. My role is not to rush them but to walk beside them as they unfold.
What has been the most effective way you’ve grown your brand or customer base?
Growth has come through relationships rather than campaigns or strategies. Word of mouth, community connections, and trust built over time have been the strongest foundations. When someone refers a best friend, sister, husband, mate, or colleague, that is the highest affirmation – it means they felt safe enough with me to extend that trust to someone they care about.
What does “women supporting women” look like to you in business — and how do you actively embody that in your brand or leadership style?
For me, women supporting women is about dismantling the myth of scarcity. I simply do not subscribe to that narrative. Success is not limited, there is room for all of us. It’s not about competing for a seat at the table but about building a bigger table. In my clinical practice, that means celebrating the achievements of other women, offering mentorship, and being transparent about both my wins and my struggles. When one woman rises, she lifts others with her and I try to embody that in how I lead. It’s incredibly inspiring to see women achieving their goals, and I believe their successes must be openly acknowledged and celebrated.
What advice would you give to other women who are just starting out in business?
Start small, yet start. I was told something similar a long time ago, and it has remained with me. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ moment (there’s no such thing) as it doesn’t exist. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who will both challenge and support you. Seek both honest feedback and encouragement. Most importantly, trust your inner voice, your gut. You don’t have to lead like anyone else. Your authenticity is your greatest asset.
Where can our audience connect with you and learn more about your journey or brand?
I welcome connection – I yearn for it. Whether through my professional website, clinical practice channels, or simply reaching out for a conversation, my hope is that by sharing part of my journey, I can continue to build a community of women supporting women – not just in business, but in the deeper work of healing and growth. Women change the world, and I have the privilege of knowing many who have, who are, and who will.
