Hello, nice to meet you
Olivia is a counsellor, mum, lecturer, switch-playing coffee critic & self confessed book worm. Her warmth and compassion when connecting with others has given her the reputation of authentic and real. She helps create safe environments where vulnerability comes easy, and trust is at the centre.
Olivia’s Journey
Olivia’s journey began as a children's pastor, this early experience sparked a profound interest in supporting children, particularly those facing behavioural challenges. Olivia moved into working in this area and quickly realised that we need to do more in our communities to support these young people.
With a growing family, Olivia moved into the business world, where she gained invaluable insights into policy and procedures. However, her true calling lay in working directly with people, which led Olivia to pursue a Bachelor of Counselling followed by a Master’s of Counselling Practice. This academic achievement equipped Olivia with the skills to provide more profound support to children and adolescents.
Transitioning to the school sector, Olivia initially worked as a chaplain and later took on a well-being role in the public education system. Here, she encountered young people experiencing complex trauma. This experience highlighted the need for systemic change, prompting Olivia to advocate for restorative practices within schools.
In the private education sector, Olivia served as a Student Wellbeing Coordinator, working with a team introducing restorative practices that significantly improved school culture for both students and staff. These successes reinforced Olivia’s belief in the transformative power of restorative practices.
Olivia's commitment to supporting young people continued to grow. She became a lecturer in both Education and Humanities and Social Science, maintained a private counselling practice, and supervised school counsellors and wellbeing teams. These roles allowed Olivia to share her expertise and foster a new generation of professionals who are dedicated to help people overcome personal, social, educational and psychological challenges and to help improve overall wellbeing.
Driven by a desire to make a broader impact, Olivia joined Chey to found The Culture Collective, where they are committed to enhancing school culture for the wellbeing of both staff and students (and wider community) and ultimately improving educational outcomes.