Faculty & Staff Profiles

Name: Dr. Olivia Fichtner
Title: Assistant Professor - Counseling and Development
Education: Ph.D., Counselor Education & Supervision, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; M.S., Counseling, University of North Georgia; B.S., Psychology, University of Georgia
Office: 145-B Withers/W.T.S. Building   
Phone: 803/323-2456
E-mail: fichtnero@winthrop.edu  
Web:   
Area(s): Child centered play therapy; Child therapist burnout

Olivia is a dedicated therapist with a specialized focus on play therapy and working with children. She is deeply passionate about the importance of protecting child therapists from burnout, particularly when working with trauma, recognizing the emotional toll it can take on practitioners. Olivia is a strong advocate for integrating self-care practices into professional routines to maintain both personal and professional well-being.

She earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she conducted extensive research on combating burnout amongst child therapists and its impact on both clients and counselors. With a commitment to fostering resilience and healing, Olivia has also presented at various national conferences, sharing her insights on trauma, play therapy, and the critical role of self-care in sustaining effective therapeutic practice.

In addition to her clinical work, Olivia is dedicated to mentoring emerging counselors, guiding them in developing the skills and awareness needed to thrive in the field. Her work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of therapy and the necessity of nurturing the well-being of those who provide it.