Kayla Olivari, Graduate Intern

Hi, I’m Kayla! I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at William & Mary and am a counseling intern here at Sapphire Counseling. I was drawn to the counseling profession, because I am passionate about helping people feel seen, heard, and supported. I believe that everyone deserves a safe space to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. My clinical interests include anxiety, self-esteem, depression, life transitions, stress management, and relationship concerns. I also have 4 years is experience working with children and adolescents in a high-acuity inpatient medical psychiatric unit and love working with kids and teenagers. As a counselor-in-training, I am committed to creating a welcoming, collaborative environment where clients can identify their strengths, build coping skills, and work toward meaningful personal growth. My approach is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and authenticity. I strive to meet clients where they are and support them in reaching the goals that matter most to them. I like to take a holistic approach to counseling and integrate a person-centered perspective with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques. I understand that starting therapy comes with a lot of fears, doubts, and what-ifs, and I strive to make this process as comfortable and warm as possible. I also recognize that traditional talk therapy isn’t the right fit for everyone and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to counseling. Therapy looks different for everyone, and what works for one person may not work for another. I strive to work collaboratively with you to find a style of counseling that feels natural, meaningful, effective, and is tailored to your unique experiences, needs, and goals. I value and celebrate the diverse identities, cultures, and perspectives each client brings, and I foster an inclusive space rooted in acceptance, respect, and understanding. Outside of counseling, I enjoy traveling, baking lots of sweet treats, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with my boyfriend and our cats! I am excited to be part of your journey and look forward to supporting you along the way!