Olivia D'Elia
I’m an LCSW who works with teens and adults who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or simply need someone in their corner. You might be dealing with anxiety, depression, past experiences that still affect you, relationship or family challenges, low self-esteem, major life changes, or just the stress that comes with trying to keep everything together. My style is warm, laid-back, and real. I do not believe therapy has to feel overly formal or clinical to be meaningful. I want sessions to feel like a space where you can show up exactly as you are... even if you do not know what to talk about that day, have no idea where to start, or need some time before you feel comfortable opening up. I use humor when it fits, ask questions that help you look at things differently, and will gently challenge you when I think it could help. I also understand that there isn’t one approach that works for everyone. I pull from different therapeutic approaches and tailor our work to your personality, needs, goals, and where you are in life. Some sessions may involve learning practical coping skills or working toward a specific goal, while others may simply be about slowing down and making sense of what you’re feeling. Most importantly, I want you to feel like therapy is something we’re doing together, not something being done to you. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to support you, offer a different perspective, help you recognize patterns, celebrate your progress, and give you tools to navigate the hard stuff.
First session
Your first session is really about getting to know each other and seeing if we are a good fit. Starting therapy can feel awkward, especially if you have never done it before, so I do not expect you to walk in knowing exactly what to say or where to begin. We will figure that out together. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, what is currently going on in your life, and what you would like to be different. I will ask questions to get a better understanding of you, your experiences, your relationships, and some of the challenges you have been facing. You are never expected to share your entire life story in one session, and we will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. The first session is also your opportunity to get to know me. I will explain how I approach therapy, what I can offer, and some of the ways I think we could work together based on what you’re looking for. I encourage you to ask questions and tell me what has or has not worked for you in the past. By the end of our first session, my goal is for you to have a better idea of what therapy with me will look like and whether you feel comfortable continuing. You may also leave with a few things to think about or a starting point for what we will work on together. Most importantly, I want you to leave feeling heard, understood, and like you have someone in your corner.
Strengths
I bring warmth, honesty, humor, and a judgment-free approach to my sessions. I am laid-back and easy to talk to, and I want therapy to feel like a conversation rather than an interview. You don’t have to worry about saying the “right” thing, having everything figured out, or showing up as the best version of yourself. You can come to session exactly as you are. One of my biggest strengths is meeting people where they are at while also knowing when they may need a little push. I’ll support you and validate what you are going through, but I will also gently challenge you when I notice patterns, behaviors, or ways of thinking that may be keeping you stuck. I believe you can feel supported while still being encouraged to grow. I also do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Some people want practical tools and strategies, while others need space to process, vent, understand their past, or figure out what they actually want. Most people need a combination of all of those things. I adapt my approach based on your personality, goals, and what you need from me at that point in your life. I use humor when it feels appropriate, celebrate the small wins, and try not to make therapy feel more complicated than it needs to be. My goal is to create a relationship where you feel comfortable being honest... even when things are messy, uncomfortable, or difficult to talk about. We are a team, and I want you to feel like you genuinely have someone in your corner.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is a teen or adult who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, down, or simply unsure of what comes next. You might be struggling with anxiety, depression, past trauma, relationship or family challenges, low self-esteem, stress, ADHD, grief, or a major life transition. Maybe you are someone who looks like you have everything together on the outside, but internally, you’re exhausted from trying to keep up. You do not need to come into therapy knowing exactly what is wrong or having a perfectly defined goal. Sometimes the first goal is simply figuring out what you need. I enjoy working with people who are willing to be open and curious about themselves, even if they are nervous about therapy or are not quite sure where to start. You may want to better understand why you react to certain situations the way you do, break patterns that keep repeating, improve your relationships, set healthier boundaries, feel more confident, or learn how to manage your emotions without feeling consumed by them. Maybe you are going through a difficult chapter and just need a safe place to talk without worrying about being judged or burdening the people in your life. You also do not have to be completely “ready for change” before starting therapy. It is okay to feel unsure, guarded, frustrated, or even skeptical about the process. We can start wherever you are. Ultimately, my ideal client is someone who wants a therapist who will listen and support them while also being real with them. We will work together to understand what’s keeping you stuck, recognize your strengths, build practical tools, and create changes that actually make sense for your life.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you better understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we will identify thought patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or feeling stuck and explore more helpful ways of looking at situations. CBT with me is not about simply telling yourself to “think positive.” It is about becoming more aware of the thoughts that show up automatically, understanding where they may come from, and figuring out whether they are actually helping you. We will work on challenging unhelpful patterns, developing healthier coping skills, and practicing new ways of responding to difficult situations. I like to make CBT practical and relevant to your everyday life. We may use real situations from your week, talk through how you reacted, and explore what you could try differently next time. The goal is for you to leave therapy with tools you can actually use outside of our sessions and, over time, feel more confident managing challenges on your own.
Location
Virtual sessions