Dr. Julio Sabater

Dr. Julio Sabater, a licensed clinical psychologist, began his professional journey with a deep commitment to serving his community in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. With more than a decade of experience in counseling and school psychology, Dr. Sabater transitioned into clinical psychology to expand his impact and address trauma-related issues more comprehensively.

Dr. Sabater’s connection to The STRONG STAR Training Initiative (SSTI) began with a serendipitous encounter involving a learning community flyer he received during his clinical internship. Reflecting on his later decision to join the initiative, he recalls, “I kept the flyer with me… then later during the pandemic was really when I thought, ‘I have to do something to support my community,’ and so the idea of training came up again.”

Seeking a trauma-focused intervention tailored for adults, Dr. Sabater gravitated toward Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Motivated by the evidence-based nature of CPT and its alignment with his professional goals, he began his training experience. “I had learned all these treatment skills for children and adolescents, but now I was seeing more adult clients,” he explains. “I was doing some adaptations to the TF-CBT model and consulting with the trainers at that time, but it just wasn’t working.”

Under the mentorship of his SSTI consultant, Maritza Grau-Magat, LCSW, Dr. Sabater’s journey within the CPT learning community was marked by profound growth and insight. Reflecting on this pivotal experience, he shares, “She created such an inviting and embracing environment that I was comfortable seeking out feedback.” Maritza’s guidance strengthened Dr. Sabater’s clinical skills and made a lasting impact on his professional development. He noted, “Consultation was extremely helpful, and it was an instrumental part of the learning community for me. Having an expert available to talk to and support what you are doing made all the difference.”

Since completing the program, Dr. Sabater has witnessed the remarkable impact of CPT on his clients’ lives. Recalling one client in particular, he shared, “To see the way she thought about and viewed her life before treatment and then after was really something.” This client, whose trauma stemmed from an accident, initially struggled with fears of serious injury and dependency. Through CPT, she experienced a profound transformation. Dr. Sabater remembers, “She started to apply CPT to other traumatic experiences we were not working on in session. She would come in and tell me, ‘I am thinking about this in a different way,’ or she would mention how she used these strategies to work on issues with family members.”

Beyond addressing her trauma, CPT empowered her to embrace life more fully. As Dr. Sabater noted, “The experience she had did not define her anymore, and she was able to communicate that in her own words.”

Looking back on his trajectory within the STRONG STAR Training Initiative, Dr. Sabater emphasizes the invaluable role of ongoing support and collaboration. He explains, “There are going to be questions along the way, and you want to be in a learning community where your questions are going to be answered.” He urges fellow clinicians to seize the opportunity to expand their skill set and positively impact the lives of those affected by trauma. “My practice, my life, and the lives of people around me changed because of this learning community,” he affirms. “I wholeheartedly encourage all clinicians to join.”

Thanks to the generous support of the Gavin Farrell Foundation, mental health providers like Dr. Sabater, along with many others, receive training in evidence-based treatments that make a difference. This learning community ensures that clinicians have the tools, resources, and support needed to positively impact their clients’ lives.