About Dr. Brownley
Dr. Julie Brownley is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with an M.D. and Ph.D. from University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she trained extensively in Women’s Mood Disorders, chronic migraine, and brain stimulation. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and spans molecular medicine to clinical psychiatry.
Dr. Brownley is recognized as a leader in the field of Reproductive Psychiatry. She has completed a fellowship in Reproductive & Integrative Psychiatry, adding a unique blend of cutting-edge science, lifestyle medicine, and holistic approaches to her practice.
In addition to her clinical work, she serves as an educator for the psychiatry residency program at Johns Hopkins and Postpartum Support International.
What truly sets Dr. Brownley apart is her passion for helping women navigate life’s transitions—whether that’s fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, or beyond. With warmth, curiosity, and a commitment to whole-person care, she integrates traditional psychiatric expertise with thoughtful, evidence-based mind-body strategies to support mental health at every stage of a woman’s life.
Featured Conversation - Perimenopause Symptoms, Hormones, and Mental Health Treatment
I regularly speak on perimenopause and women’s mental health, with a focus on how hormonal changes affect mood, cognition, and overall functioning.
This conversation is a helpful overview of how I think about perimenopause clinically, especially the overlap between psychiatric symptoms and hormonal shifts, and how we approach treatment in a more integrated way.
“Perimenopause is one of the most under-recognized drivers of anxiety, mood changes, and cognitive symptoms in women.”
Topics discussed include:
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How perimenopause affects mood and anxiety
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The role of estrogen in brain function
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Why symptoms are often misdiagnosed as primary psychiatric disorders
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How hormone therapy can be integrated into mental health care
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Common treatment mistakes
Watch on Spotify HERE
You can learn more about how I approach treatment on my Perimenopause FAQ Page
A Few Common Questions
Why do I suddenly feel anxious or unlike myself in my 40s?
Hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause can significantly affect the brain, leading to anxiety, mood changes, and cognitive symptoms that are often misattributed to primary psychiatric conditions.
How do you approach treatment differently?
I look at both the brain and hormones together, combining psychiatric treatment with hormone therapy when appropriate, rather than treating them separately.
How do I know if my symptoms are hormonal vs psychiatric?
Often it’s not one or the other. The timing of symptoms, pattern of change, and response to prior treatments help guide whether hormones are playing a significant role.
Julie was recently featured in Voyage Baltimore, highlighting her unconventional path into medicine and her work in women’s mental health.
