TREATMENT
- Adjustment issues
- Anxiety
- Attachment concerns (child and adult)
- Behavioural problems
- Depression
- Emotion regulation (e.g., anger)
- Parenting Support
- Relationship difficulties
- School or work difficulties
- Self-harm
- Trauma and stressor related disorders
- Youth Who Engage in Sexual Offending Behavior (Sexual Behavior Assessments)
Olivia Richardson, BSW, RSW
MSW placement student supervised by Abby Doner, MSW, RSW
Approach
Therapy can help you identify what you are feeling, why you are feeling that way, and how to cope. As a therapist, I aim to aid in this endeavour while creating a safe(r) space for folks to process life’s many challenges and struggles, from relationships to school/work stress and everything in between. I have a passion for holistic and collaborative care and believe in using an integrated approach to therapy. I approach all work with a trauma-informed lens and am experienced in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. I hope to help people better understand themselves and the world around them with empathy and care.
Education and Experience
I am a proud East Coaster hailing from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Before moving away, I completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, as well as my Bachelor of Social Work, both from St. Thomas University. I worked for Child Protection in New Brunswick before moving to the beautiful Ottawa Valley in 2018. I learned a lot while in Child Protection and sought a new learning experience upon moving to Pembroke. I have been with The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families since 2019, working primarily with youth and their families in school-based therapy programs. I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services workers. In the Fall of 2022, I was seeking a new challenge, which led me to further my education and pursue a Master’s in Social Work from The University of Waterloo and Renison College University. I am currently in the two-year part-time program, which I am slated to complete by August 2025.
With over seven years of professional experience under my belt, I am thrilled to merge my practical knowledge with the insights from my MSW program during my upcoming placement. As my program is health-based, it allows me to focus on the overall wellness of individuals through pathology and symptoms paired with a social work lens that focuses on the person first and understanding one’s circumstances. I look forward to working with clients of Pembroke Psychological Services, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow during this placement.