Dr. Julia Girdler is a board-certified psychiatrist who cares for children, adolescents, and adults. Her work is grounded in clinical excellence and shaped by a genuine interest in how people understand their inner world. She brings a warm, relational approach to every interaction, helping families feel grounded, informed, and supported.
Dr. Girdler was born in Chicago and raised in Newport Coast, California. Her interest in psychology developed early, fueled by a fascination with how people make sense of their experiences. She later studied Psychology and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies at New York University, graduating summa cum laude and joining both the Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi honor societies. Her time at the NYU Child Study Center shaped her belief in interdisciplinary, team-based care and strengthened her commitment to improving mental health outcomes across the lifespan.
Dr. Girdler earned her medical degree from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Her adult psychiatry residency spanned NYU Langone, Bellevue, the Manhattan VA, and the NYU Undergraduate Mental Health Center. She went on to specialize in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UCLA, where she served as Program Chief and pursued advanced training in parent-infant mental health. Today, she draws on this extensive background to provide high-quality, individualized care.
After completing her training, Dr. Girdler returned to Orange County to serve the community that shaped her. She works closely with families and individuals to create treatment plans that feel both grounded and hopeful. Her goal is to help each person feel understood, equipped, and confident in their path forward.
