A Deeper look with Olivia, Licensed Professional Counselor

Hey All!!!

First of all, if you are reading this far into my website I am SO excited you are here!!! Counseling is near and dear to my heart... I mean it better be, it's what I chose to do as a career path. Anyway, I have had a bigger push to interact and share with others on topics related to life and how mental health can effect every day life. But, before I dive into those topics... I'd like to introduce myself on a deeper level so you can get a better picture of the person sitting behind the computer and the pictures on my website.

As I mentioned in my ABOUT ME section of my website, I live in rural Pennsylvania with my husband and our 2 year old daughter along with our 2 dogs. When I mean rural... I literally mean like 5 traffic lights in the entire town rural. Juniata County is small, very small. There is something quaint about a small hometown. The county fairs, dirt track racing, going to the drive in movie theater on a hot summer evening, kayaking down the Juniata River, cookouts, and special moments of fun that are only known to living in Juniata County. Sure, there were times when being in a small town got old, especially when everyone knew everything about everybody. That's when I decided to say "See ya later JCO, I am OUT." I lived in multiple different areas in and outside of PA. But guess what, I came back to my good ol' small town roots!!!!

Hobbies that you will find me doing depend on the season. In my small town, there are so many different activities to do in the spring, summer, and early fall. I am a HUGE gardener. I love gardening, specifically flower gardens. Don't get me wrong, I will plant a few veggies, but my heart is with all things colorful outside. Gardening is a wonderful escape. If you have never gardened, well let me tell you, IT'S HARD WORK. Before owning a home, I totally underestimated how much back breaking work goes into making your gardens flourish. Because so much energy and time go into this hobby, I find it very rewarding. Especially when I get to see those little baby flowers thrive and come to life. I also find gardening peaceful. There is just something about getting your hands into mother nature that creates a sense of peace within you no matter how the day presented. So not only is it fun, but I find an added benefit of relaxation. Gardening is something I enjoy doing by myself, but can incorporate others as well. My 2 year old daughter loves to help me water my flowers, dig in the dirt, and smell the posies. I find this a wonderful bonding moment.

When I am not gardening, I enjoy sitting on my front porch, reading, journaling, and spending time with friends and family. One unique event in our small town is dirt track racing. In fact, Port Royal has the best dirt track on the East Coast... who would have thought!!! Attending the races on a Saturday evening with my family is exciting. The loud engines, fast cars, smell of french fries in the concession stand, and the dirt flying into your eyes..... Nothing beats it. May not sound like fun to everyone, I totally get it. Definitely a cultural hobby. I highly suggest if you are ever in the area, pop in! If you find you don't enjoy it, then you can at least say you watched dirt track racing and can cross it off your bucket list.

During the winter months, I spend a lot of time with family and friends. Attending our annual "Squirrel Camp". Oh boy, I don't think I have time to dive into this today, so we will save squirrel camp for a later post. Celebrating holidays, birthdays, and simply having family dinners. The winter months can be difficult in our town, as there are not many events that are held. That is why I pray for a boat load of snow, then at least we have some entertainment. Thankfully, we are coming out of the short winter days, and heading into the long days of summer.

I am truly excited to share snip of my life with you. I plan to utilize this blog to post about myself, topics related to grief, trauma, anxiety and depression. I plan to normalize how mental health can impact every day life, and hopefully bring awareness to those who know little about the topic. With that said, WELCOME TO MY BLOG! I hope you enjoy my posts, and feel free to reach out and discuss further.