Hi there. My name is Charity Olson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my master's degree from National University and have been practicing for 12 years. I help people struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma and grief symptoms. I have worked with people recovering from physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. I work from a collaborative standpoint and encourage you to set your own goals with my assistance. I believe all people hold the key to their own healing and that I am a guide to assist you in discovering what you truly are capable of enduring. I know it feels dark right now, but it does not have to stay that way. Together we will discover new possibilities and uncover your potential and resilience. We will work to discover your value and create happiness as you learn to navigate the ever-changing stages of life.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
You can expect a laid-back environment, and I try to use humor when appropriate. I will be looking for opportunities to explore your past and understand how it affects your present. In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I bring a sense of compassion, empathy and honor for the experiences that each of my client's has had. I do not impose my personal belief system on you; however, I do guide you to create your own sense of purpose and well-being. I love to engage and learn as much about you as possible. On a more personal note, I do have personal experience with grief, loss and difficult life situations. I have dealt with the loss of a parent as a young child as well as poverty. I believe I bring a unique perspective to therapy due to my education coupled with my rather raw life experience. I did not "fall into" this career, I spent my childhood and all of my 20s preparing for it.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I love working with adults in all stages of life as they make transitions. My clients are eager to improve, but don't yet have the tools needed to make this goal a reality. They often feel depressed, anxious or grief stricken and find it difficult to make the next step in life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have been utilizing CBT for about 8 years and have had great success helping client's move through cognitions that cause negative behaviors. I believe that how we think directly effects our behaviors and how we treat others we are close to. Together we will collaborate to learn how to think differently to change your life for the better!
Grief Therapy
Losing someone you love can feel earth shattering and make you feel alone in the world. You may isolate from those you love, spend more time sleeping and lost interest in things you once loved. I am here to walk beside you as you learn to navigate an entirely new world without your loved one. We will revisit happy memories, process traumatic memories and create a new path for you to move forward. The grief will never end, but we can work to make the process softer.
EMDR
I was trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in 2014 and have utilized this therapy extensively over the last 12 years. I believe that you must move through trauma, not past trauma to heal from it. When utilizing EMDR I bring a calm, compassionate demeanor to the session. My goal is to provide you with the tools you need to work through trauma of all kinds. I have experience working with victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. I would be honored to have the opportunity to assist you in your journey of healing.
2 ratings with written reviews
April 23, 2025
It was really good. I feel like I made some ground here today.
April 23, 2025
I feel very comfortable talking to charity.