Olga MacAfee, M.S., LMHC

Who I am:

Before deciding if you would like to let me try to be of help, I think it is fair if you learn a thing or two about me.

Mental Health Counseling is my second career. I am an accountant in recovery. As such, this was a very conscious choice of a profession when I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I believe that in a support profession like counseling, one does not necessarily need to have experienced everything under the Sun, but having more experiences helps. I certainly have found, that having gone through a number of life happenings helped me be more prepared for this profession.

I currently offer 3+ years of experience in the mental health field. I continue working with diverse populations, ages 6 - 80 years old. Practice in Community Mental Health has allowed me to accumulate experience working with a great variety of presentations and requests, such as anxiety, OCD, mood disorders (depression, bipolar), neurodivergence, trauma and grief, life transitions of all sorts, relational problems, identity questions, emotional regulation, etc. I enjoy supporting individuals in their quest to find a more peaceful and enjoyable way to be in this world, and to relate to others, as well as their own selves, in healthier ways.

What I offer:

Heavily grounded in Rogerian Person-Centered perspective, working in the framework of multicultural awareness and applying trauma-informed approach, I offer psychoeducation, validation and exploration in a non-judgemental and curious environment. I tend to be more direct when it comes to challenging thought and behavior patterns that had proven to be unhelpful. At the same time, I am not going to push you where you are not ready to go yet. I offer evidence-based therapy, and utilize eclectic approach, blending cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, reality therapy, with elements of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT) and art therapy.

Dedicated to continuous learning, apart from following scientific research, I also constantly learn from my clients, fully committed to deliver therapy that is custom-tuned to the individual's needs.

How I can help YOU:

Together, we can work on processing difficult emotions; examine patterns of feelings, thoughts, behaviors and relationships; approach your situation with curiosity and identify areas for improvement; find your strengths and reconnect with them; improve emotional regulation and ability to handle stress; improve relationships; improve self-esteem and increase self-understanding, including exploring identity and sexuality; and finally, figure out who you are and how to be you in the most wholesome way.

Together, we can work on improving symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions; develop self-regulation and social skills by building practical tools and learning to use them consistently.

Finally, therapy is hard work, but it is worth it. If you are ready to commit to change, I will support you on your way.