I am a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist supporting individuals navigating trauma, crisis, addiction, anxiety, life transitions, and unresolved conflict. I work with those who feel overlooked or misunderstood, including first responders, trauma survivors, recently hospitalized, individuals with complex PTSD, postpartum depression, or other mental health diagnoses. My approach is whole-person centered, exploring the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of your experience. Together, we’ll build resilience, deepen self-awareness, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. I provide in-person therapy on Mondays and Wednesdays in the beautiful historic Old Town area of Auburn, California and telehealth on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Our first session is a space to get to know you and understand what brought you to therapy. We’ll discuss your current concerns, relevant history, review any necessary forms and complete a preliminary assessment and treatment plan. I’ll also review confidentiality, my practice policies, and what to expect from therapy. If helpful, we may explore grounding or coping strategies. You’re always encouraged to ask questions—we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you.
Clients often appreciate my balance of honesty, directness and compassion. I believe that true healing in therapy comes from willingness to uncover layers, challenge unhealthy patterns and practice what we uncover in session, outside in the real world. When people come to me who have had therapy in the past, we will uncover what may have worked, what may have been missing and what we can do differently or maybe re-start now. I am comfortable in helping you see patterns or connections you might be unaware of. I help you understand how past experiences—especially early relationships—shape current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify and shift patterns that contribute to anxiety, overwhelm, relationship challenges, or addictive cycles. Our work is collaborative, practical, and insight-driven, with a focus on building self-awareness, emotional regulation, and tools you can use in daily life.
I support individuals seeking deeper self-understanding, emotional clarity, and meaningful change. Many clients feel stuck in an endless loop, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves or their relationships. I help develop goals to reduce anxiety, trauma-responses, enhance and build coping skills and replace negative thoughts with healthier ones. I work best with individual clients who are open to a more direct therapeutic approach, reflection and are curious about their inner world. Together, we’ll build positive ways of coping, relating, and moving forward. Regularly attending therapy and staying engaged in sessions is an important role in the healing process. It’s understandable that some people hope to feel better after just a session or two, but lasting change often takes a bit more time and consistency. Intentionally practicing the skills and tools learned in therapy—along with completing any between-session homework—is a vital part of growth and progress.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a proven approach for healing from trauma and PTSD. I work with clients to gently explore how difficult experiences have shaped their thoughts and feelings about themselves, others, and the world. We explore negative “stuck points,” and build new ways of thinking, feelings and behaviors with compassion, and confidence. My approach is relatively structured but warm and supportive, helping you move through trauma at a pace that feels safe while making real, lasting progress.
Existential
In Existential therapy, I help explore life’s deeper questions, especially those that come up with grief and loss—identity, meaning, freedom, purpose, connection and mortality. We develop a space to reflect on what it means to live authentically, especially during times of anxiety, loss, transition, or uncertainty. Rather than focusing only on symptom reduction, I support in understanding lived experiences, clarifying values, and making intentional choices that align with a life desired.
Gestalt
In Gestalt therapy, we focus on helping build greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and experiences in the present moment. We explore what is happening in the “here and now” to better understand patterns, needs, and relational dynamics. We work collaboratively and experientially, supporting in reconnecting, strengthening authenticity, and creating meaningful change.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
This particular therapy is most effective in person. If this approach interests you, please schedule an in-office session. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps heal wounded “inner child” parts of ourselves that carry pain, shame, fear, or trauma from the past. In IFS, these vulnerable parts are called Exiles. Over time, other protective parts develop to keep those painful feelings out of awareness. Through guided, compassionate work, clients learn to connect with these parts from a calm, grounded place known as the “Self.” The goal is not to fight or suppress emotions, but to understand and heal them. IFS therapy may help clients: Reduce shame and self-criticism; Heal unresolved childhood wounds and trauma; Better understand emotional reactions and inner conflict; Develop greater self-compassion and emotional balance; Reconnect with creativity, joy, and authenticity. This process allows painful experiences to be released and integrated so clients can move forward with greater clarity, harmony, and wholeness.
Psychodynamic
I take a psychodynamic and relational approach to therapy, meaning I pay close attention and sometimes draw attention to the past and present relationships which shape our inner worlds. We explore recurring patterns, emotional struggles, and the deeper needs underneath them. I believe that through a trusting therapeutic relationship, folks gain clarity, work through unresolved pain, and move toward lasting growth and wholeness.
2 ratings with written reviews
May 13, 2026
Olivia was very open honest and made me feel comfortable in opening up right from the start. She was warm and very friendly. Definitely what I need in a therapist.
April 23, 2026
I was drawn to Olivia because of her experience but mostly because she said she is a Christian. I am so pleased with my choice already! She is genuine and a true follower of Jesus.