Meet the Counselor
My Blurb
I have been a counselor since 2011. I began my counseling career as a group counselor. My early role model in group counseling was Dr. Samuel Gladding. As a young counselor, I wanted to be like Dr. Gerald Corey, author of the leading group textbook Groups: Process and Practice, and Dr. Gladding, known for his creative group activities.
My Passion
I am passionate about equity, inclusion, and access. As a counselor, I work from a framework of acceptance, love, and inclusion. I tailor counseling to clients' personalities, values, and cultural worldviews.
My Why's
I was diagnosed with hearing loss at age five, the year before the American Disability Act (1990) passed. This diagnosis led me to where I am today. As a young child, I was the only child to have a disability in my immediate family and classes. This "only child" and "only one" experiencing hearing loss led me on a quest to find resources for myself. As a counselor, I find meaning in working with my clients to explore who and what they are. I also pride myself on having that safe space to process our access needs. I employ a gentle, warm, and compassionate counseling style as a counselor.
Olivia Fadul, LPCC , CPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (NM)
Clinical Professional Counselor (NV)
National Certified Counselor
Olivia's Areas
As a counselor, I am passionate about many different areas. Some of my favorite areas I excel in are working with clients in navigating their lived experiences with neurodivergent spectrum (ADHD/ADD/Autism/OCD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Disability Stigma, Workplace accessibility and navigating American with Disability (ADA) law, Self-advocacy, Major Life Transitions, Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome, Creative Types, Stress Management, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Adjusting to new places, new jobs, Cross-Cultural Communication, Filipinx and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) issues, Micro-aggressions, Women Issues, LGBTQIA+, Personal Growth
Olivia's Experience
I began my career working in Substance Abuse. I have served as a case manager, in-patient residential therapist, adolescent counselor, halfway house counselor, and finally tele-mental health counselor.
Counseling Philosophy
I am a relational counselor. I believe in cultivating an environment of love, warmth, empathy, and compassion conducive to healing. My counseling practice is one where I build a humanistic rapport with you. I do not believe in a one-size fit all approach. My approach is universal and embodies compassion, gentleness, active listening, validation, and culturally responsive care catered to your needs. In other words, this means holding the umbrella for you. I work with you acknowledging that your cultural identity, beliefs, and values are inherently unique and are a valued part of who and what you are. As a counselor, I hold an umbrella for you. I realize healing is the bravest investment you can make for yourself. Being vulnerable and working on yourself does not come easy. Therefore, providing a safe space for you to show up just as you are is what I value most. I do this by taking a collaborative approach. As a 2nd-Generation Filipinx woman with an invisible disability, poet defining my truth empowers me to want to empower others so they, too, can find their truth, voice, and power.
What Clients say I embody
Compassion
Empathy
Kindness
Passion
Creativity
Authentic: I keep it real
The ability to see someone soul, spirit, and truth.
Counseling Experience Accomplishments
My counseling accomplishments account for presenting over 30 counseling presentations, podcast, magazine articles, and webinars. I have served on the Alabama Counseling Association Executive Council, 2 state counseling division presidencies in Alabama and New Mexico.
Passion in Counseling and What I Do
As a counselor I I am passionate about equity, inclusion, and access. As a counselor, she works from a framework of acceptance, love, and inclusion. I believe in tailoring counseling to clients' personalities and cultural worldviews. I am able to switch between traditional and innovative counseling to meet clients' needs.
Olivia's Counseling Skills:
*Strength-Based Therapy
*Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
*Positive Psychology Therapy
*Motivational Interviewing
*Relational-Cultural Therapy
*Cognitive Behavior Counseling
*Trauma Informed Counseling
*Neurodiverse Counseling
*Client Centered
*Integration of Myers Briggs, Enneagram, True Colors, and Signature Strength in counseling.
*Disability Affirmative Therapy
*LGBTQIA+ Affirming Counseling
*Compassion Focused Therapy
*Poetry, Metaphor, and Creative Arts therapy *Adjustment to Disability
*Disability Identity
*Group Counseling
Fun Facts:
I am named after Olivia Newton John.
I love Carole King and her album tapestry. My favorite song of Carole King is "Where you lead I will follow." It is my go to because I love how upbeat it is.
I have lived in three different cultures: Alabama, California, and New Mexico.
Favorite Counseling Slogan: Progress not Perfection
Born and raised in Alabama I grew to love Sweet tea and Fried Green tomatoes. Other food and drink items I learned to love in New Mexico and California are Boba Tea and green Chile stew, .
I learned how to express my feelings through poetry and creative arts.
I make up my own creative arts and writing interventions appropriate for group and individuals sessions.
In my doctoral program I started a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Peer support group. I am skilled in how to start support groups.
When I am tired sometimes my southern accent comes out.
I am a Disability Inclusion Nerd. My own journey to finding belonging inspired me to work with others to work towards inclusion.
I am a volunteer enthusiast. I believe counselors should volunteer.
How I see Counseling:
Counseling is a safe spot to embrace challenges. Each challenge is a space for us to learn.
Discomfort can be a life tool to grow into our best versions of ourselves.
I support my clients by helping them to develop their own mantras and affirmations.
Here you will see an example of a mantra and/or affirmation I created in 2022 during my second year of doctoral program.
"I will keep hustling! I will keep grinding forth. I will keep the strength. I will remember I am almost to the finish line."
When we work together I learn with you.
Learning is our journey together. I am thankful to be on this journey with clients.
How Therapy Can Help
Olivia's Worldview of Counseling
Counseling or Therapy can provide a safe space to process thoughts, feelings, and a space where one can learn about self.
Below are some quotes from celebrities who have benefited from therapy:
"Through therapy and a lot of thinking and writing my memoirs, I've been able to use my life as a lesson."
- Jane Fonda
"We all want to be the best versions of ourselves. And talking to a therapist, being vulnerable, opening up about what you're dealing with, it only helps. Nobody can deal with life all alone."
-Michael Phelps