HI! I'M OLIVIA
I Offer Individual and Couples Therapy Built for Your Specific Challenges
I’m a licensed therapist and the founder of my own practice. I work with individuals and couples navigating everything from trauma and anxiety to relationship challenges, burnout, and performance-related stress — including sport and high-pressure environments. Together, we focus on building confidence, setting healthier boundaries, and developing a deeper understanding of yourself so you can show up more fully in your life.
My connection to this work is deeply personal. After life challenges shifted my original career path in adventure guiding, I discovered a meaningful passion for learning about people, relationships, and the ways we adapt through change. That journey ultimately led me to become a therapist, with a commitment to offering mental health support that feels approachable, empowering, and genuinely human.
Interested?
Read on to learn more about how we can work together to help you move toward your goals and become the version of yourself you’re working toward.
MISSION, VISION, & VALUES
Why I Started My Practice:
My journey into therapy began after a series of unexpected life events that left me feeling confused, overwhelmed, and alone. While those experiences were incredibly challenging, they also led me to some of the most influential people in my life — people whose compassion, steadiness, and curiosity deeply shaped who I am today and how I show up for others.
Those experiences taught me something important: life doesn’t always unfold the way we imagine or hope it will — but with the right support, understanding, and connection, things can still turn out okay. Sometimes, they can turn out even better than expected. That belief is at the heart of why I became a therapist.
I aim to offer each client a refreshing, supportive, and holistic therapeutic experience — one that helps you build the skills, insight, and confidence needed to reach your goals and move toward feeling better than just “okay.”
My Mission & Vision:
My mission is to empower others to find calm, confidence, and a deeper understanding of themselves. I believe strongly in being curious rather than judgmental, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a space where they feel genuinely heard and supported.
I’m committed to creating that space for my clients — one that feels safe, respectful, and tailored to who you are and what you need.
Looking ahead, my vision is to grow my practice into a thriving clinic that offers long-term support, mentorship, and care. I want to create an environment where people feel encouraged to continue learning about themselves, navigating change, and growing throughout every stage of life.
My Values:
I value authenticity, empathy, resilience, and personal growth. These values guide every aspect of my work as a therapist and shape how I show up in each session. They remind me to listen with openness, lead with compassion, and meet my clients exactly where they are — without judgment and without rushing the process.
CREDENTIALS
My Experience & Qualifications:
I am licensed with a number of professional colleges and hold the following designations:
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Registered Psychotherapist (Q)
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Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
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Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
My professional path has been rich with diverse experiences - from pursuing adventure therapy, obtaining outdoor adventure guiding certification, working with at-risk youth transitioning to frontline outreach work - all before completing my Master's in Counselling Psychology. I've also obtained additional certifications, including an Mental Health and Addictions Studies Certificate, and an Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Certificate. These experiences and qualifications have shaped my unique approach to therapy.
Through these experiences, I know that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each individual's experience is unique, and I'm committed to helping my clients find the strategies that work best to help them reach their therapeutic goals. Together, we can navigate through life's challenges and transitions to find a sense of peace, confidence, and self-understanding.
Training
Upcoming 2026-
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1
Current -
Gottman Method Couple Therapy: Level 2 - Assessment, Interventions & Co Morbidities
2024 -
Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Level 1- Bridging the Couple Chasm
2024 -
EMDR Basic Training
2023 -
Integrative Somatic Therapy: Level 1- Trauma, Brain and the Body Fundamentals of Trauma Recovery
2023 -
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
2023 -
Essentials of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Level 1- Learning CBT
2023 -
First Aid for Opioid Poisoning Emergencies
2021 -
Assisted Suicide Prevention Training (ASIST)
Memberships:
Education
Current - Toronto Metropolitan University // Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate
Indigenous Peoples persistently encounter challenges in crucial areas like healthcare, social services, employment, and education. This certificate program emphasizes the importance of practical, real-world experience; to help manage projects that contribute to positive change and engage with community agencies and organizations, with preparation for the challenges and complexities of working with Indigenous communities.
2024 - Yorkville University // Master of Arts Counselling Psychology
A graduate level program that prepares students for counselling and psychotherapy practice. This is done through a comprehensive curriculum coving a variety of topics including but not limited to counselling methodologies and psychotherapeutic interventions, crisis and trauma in counselling, and addiction counselling.
2024 - Toronto Metropolitan University // Mental Health and Addictions Studies Certificate
Designed to enhance the foundational knowledge in psychology, mental-health and addictions. Teaches comprehensive strategies in assessment, treatment and self-help within individual, group, family and community contexts.
2020 - Algonquin College // Outdoor Adventure Diploma
This program prepares students for working in the outdoors, leading adventure trips and teaching outdoor skills. Complete technical training in various land-based activities from mountain biking and rock climbing to skiing and ice climbing. As well as guiding abilities in sea kayaking, canoe tripping and white water rafting.
2018 - Thompson Rivers University // Bachelor's Interdisciplinary Studies - Adventure Therapy
The BIS-Adventure Studies degree is designed to allow the study of specific adventure-related topic from the perspectives of a variety of different areas of study (disciplines). The path of study must include a multiple academic disciplines.
2018 - Thompson Rivers University // Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Certificate
The Leadership in Environmental Sustainability Certificate allows students to earn formal recognition for their knowledge, skills, awareness, and attitudes that contribute to environmental sustainability competency.
MY STORY
Finding My Way Through Change — and Helping Others Do the Same
I’m Olivia — a licensed therapist and the founder of my own private practice. Before becoming a therapist, my work was rooted in the outdoors as an adventure guide, where I supported others in building resilience, connection, and grounding through nature. That experience continues to shape how I understand mental health — as something deeply connected to our lives, relationships, and environments.
When unexpected life challenges brought that chapter to an end, I found myself navigating a difficult transition marked by stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Like many people I now work with, I turned to therapy for support — and still do. That experience changed how I understand healing: not as fixing yourself, but as learning how to live with more compassion, clarity, and steadiness.
Those experiences ultimately led me to this work. I became a therapist because I believe in the power of having a space where you don’t have to carry everything alone — a space to slow down, make sense of what you’ve been through, and reconnect with yourself.
Today, I primarily work with adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, performance-related stress, and the impacts of trauma. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, with a focus on building confidence, setting healthy boundaries, and developing a deeper understanding of yourself so you can move forward feeling more grounded and capable.
Outside the therapy room, I’m still an avid outdoor enthusiast. I love sea kayaking, hiking, running, and spending time with my dog, Rascal — who you might even see around the clinic.
Timeline:
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Adventure Therapy & Outdoor Guiding | 2016–2020
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Certification in Outdoor Adventure Guiding | 2018–2020
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Work with At-Risk Youth | 2020–2022
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Frontline Outreach Work | 2023
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Master’s in Counselling Psychology | 2024
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The beginning if True Life Therapy I 2024
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Ongoing Professional Development | Ongoing
How True Life Therapy
Got It's Name
When we want to confirm that something is amazing we often ask 'really?'. But as a little kid I used to ask if it was 'for true life?'.
Now as an adult I like to think that the therapeutic care you deserve and the therapy I can provide is just that amazing.
For True Life.
My Approach and Style
My approach to therapy is grounded, collaborative, and tailored to you. I’m a licensed therapist and the founder of a private practice in Mount Pearl, offering individual counselling for adults navigating stress, anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, and performance-related pressure.
I often work with high achievers, athletes, and individuals who are used to pushing through — even when they’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from themselves.
Together, we focus on building confidence, setting healthier boundaries, and developing a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and patterns.
Therapy with me is down to earth and realistic. Whether you’re working through trauma, managing anxiety, improving performance, or coping with everyday life stress, my goal is to help you move forward in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with who you are. Sessions are supportive, practical, and reflective — not rigid or clinical.
My work is informed by both academic training and lived experience, including my background in outdoor adventure guiding. I value approaches that recognize the mind–body connection and how stress and past experiences live in both the nervous system and the body.
Looking ahead, my vision is to grow my practice into a thriving clinic that offers long-term support and mentorship. At the heart of my work is a simple goal: to make mental health therapy in St. John’s feel accessible, empowering, and genuinely supportive.
Who I Work With
Individual and couples therapy in Mount Pearl & St. John’s
for anxiety, trauma, stress, and relationship challenges.
I work primarily with adults navigating periods of change, stress, and emotional overwhelm. Many of the people I support are in their 20s through 60s and are facing life transitions such as starting or changing careers, navigating relationships, managing burnout, or adjusting to major life changes. These experiences can bring up anxiety, uncertainty, and feelings of being stuck or disconnected.
I often work with individuals who are living with anxiety, chronic stress, or the lasting effects of trauma. This can include feeling constantly on edge, overthinking, difficulty relaxing, emotional numbness, or struggling to feel safe and grounded in your day-to-day life. Together, we focus on building coping skills, increasing self-awareness, setting healthier boundaries, and creating a greater sense of stability and confidence.
I also offer couples therapy for partners who want to improve communication, rebuild trust, and better understand each other’s needs. Whether you’re navigating conflict, feeling disconnected, or working through the impact of past experiences on your relationship, therapy can help you develop more supportive and secure ways of relating.
My approach is trauma-informed, compassionate, and tailored to your unique experiences. I offer in-person and virtual therapy in St. John’s, providing a supportive space where you can explore what you’re going through at your own pace and begin to feel more grounded and supported.
Areas of Focus
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Anxiety therapy
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Trauma and PTSD
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Stress management and burnout
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Relationship and couples therapy
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Life transitions and emotional regulation
You Might Be a Good Fit If You…
Feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in survival mode
Find yourself overthinking, people-pleasing, or setting unrealistic expectations for yourself
Are carrying the impact of past experiences or trauma
Want to feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your relationships
Struggle with stress, burnout, or emotional regulation
Are looking for trauma-informed therapy in Mount Pearl, St. John’s or Newfoundland that feels human, not clinical
I offer individual and couples therapy in
Mount Pearl, St. John’s and throughout Newfoundland
for anxiety, trauma, stress management, and relationship challenges — both in person and virtually.
The Process of Therapy
01. Free Consultation
A chance for us to connect, talk about what’s bringing you here, and see if working together feels like a good fit — no pressure.
02. A Plan That Fits You
We’ll create an individualized approach based on your goals, experiences, and what feels most supportive for you right now
03. Ongoing Sessions
Regular sessions provide space to explore, process, and build skills at a pace that feels manageable and grounded.
04. Checking In & Adjusting
We’ll regularly reflect on how things are going and adjust our work together as your needs evolve.
05. Long-Term Support
Whether short-term or ongoing, therapy is about building lasting tools, insight, and support you can carry with you.