Olivia Fichtner

Dr. Olivia Fichtner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Development at Winthrop University's College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences. Her work focuses on child-centered play therapy and addressing burnout among child therapists, particularly those working with trauma. She advocates for integrating self-care practices into clinical routines to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

Education:

• Ph.D., Counselor Education & Supervision, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• M.S., Counseling, University of North Georgia
• B.S., Psychology, University of Georgia

Research Interests: Olivia’s research explores burnout mitigation strategies for child therapists and the impact of trauma on practitioners. She emphasizes play therapy as a therapeutic tool for children and the systemic need for counselor resilience programs. Her presentations at national conferences highlight trauma-informed practices and self-care frameworks.

Advising & Mentoring: Olivia mentors emerging counselors, focusing on skill development and ethical practice. She prioritizes fostering resilience in the next generation of mental health professionals.

Labs/Teams: No specific labs or research teams are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.