Locations: Telehealth
I’m Olivia, a Licensed Mental Health Counseling Associate (LMHCA). I reside in Southern California and am a registered associate in California in addition to Washington.
Background and Experience:
I was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, and received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Before attending graduate school, I worked in several mental health settings, including an inpatient behavioral health unit, an STRTP for adolescent girls, and community-based case management for seniors with severe mental illness. These experiences gave me an understanding of the most fundamental ingredients of the therapeutic process: compassion, curiosity, and unconditional positive regard.
My Approach:
My approach is somewhat eclectic — I draw mainly from humanistic and psychodynamic theories but also incorporate narrative, cognitive-behavioral, and other techniques. I believe every client is capable and worthy of enacting meaningful change, and understanding oneself is a key part of this process.
I am dedicated to continuous growth as a culturally informed counselor, and I believe clients’ concerns can only be truly understood in the context of their cultural identity and experiences. I am also passionate about understanding how trauma impacts individuals both mentally and physically, and I am pursuing additional training to become a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.