
Courtney Olinger, PsyD, LMFT 49051
Publications
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Olinger, C. (2010b). Working toward agency among the autism community: A participatory action research study (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest dissertations and Theses database (UMI No. 3451908).
MOREaboutCOURTNEY
From my initial MFT traineeship on, I have worked with adults dealing with life challenges, stressors, depression, anxiety, and a myriad of general mental health concerns. Many of my clients along the way have been navigating identity and experiences in which they have been marginalized or oppressed. I have learned from my clients which I continue to do and believe makes me a better therapist each time.
My career has been rich with a variety of roles while always getting to do what I truly love, engage clients in psychotherapy (aka mental health counseling). Throughout my mental health training I worked with individuals ages 4-65 years old, experiencing a range of concerns. I have a breadth of experience (both lived and professional) and training in supporting neurodivergent individuals, those with learning differences, Queer and Trans individuals, and individuals/families with relational concerns. I have 20+ years experience supporting autistic youth and adults. In my traineeship, I was also fortunate to develop a collaboration with the LGBT Center Latina Services. I continue to attend workshops and provide services to many LGBTQIA+ youth and adults with a particular interest in supporting Transgender and Non-binary persons.
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I began my professional journey in psychological services when working with autistic children, providing behavioral support in homes in 2000. My initial behavioral work expanded to clinic, classroom and community settings. Through this work, I realized a passion in working with the whole family and my hopes to transcend the limitations that third party payors put on provision of services as well as what is possible for the child and family. When working with children, I have always been inspired by play-based and naturalistic interventions. While some behavioral concepts have been helpful to explore with parents and educators, there were also many limitations and problems associated with rigid protocol and narrow understandings of the person, mental health and neurodiversity. I continued to consult with public and charter schools for 16 years (primarily Cajon Valley Union School District), bringing these emerging ideas to promote respectful supports that kept the individual center to their own services.
I have served as adjunct faculty for Alliant International University (Graduate Psychology) and San Diego State University (Graduate programs in Marriage & Family Therapy, School Psychology, and School Counseling). I have presented at conferences and workshops in California, Georgia, Alberta, Canada, Mumbai, India, Lima, Peru and virtually through Reauthoring Teaching with participants attending globally. I am also currently an instructor for the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) Vocational Training Programs, primarily supporting participants with regulation strategies and work-related communication, relational, and self-advocacy skills. My experience working with children, in schools, in community mental health, vocational and in a neurology healthcare clinic guides me when supporting youth and particularly when consulting with parents. My work currently is informed by neurodiversity affirming principals and practices, LGBTQIA+ affirming practices and principals, disability justice, and commitment to continued learning in anti-racist practices and ways to support BIPOC individuals and communities.

TESTIMONIAL
"I have had the privilege of getting to watch Courtney's poise and professionalism at work both in the US and internationally. Courtney is knowledgeable, genuine, hard-working and sincerely cares about the students and colleagues around her. She joined our team of specialists as we provided training for members of the Ministerio de Educación in Lima, Peru. Her expertise in the field of autism and behavior management is unquestionable, but it's Courtney's ability to connect with those she's training that truly makes her special."
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-Linda Martin, MME, MT-BC
Founder, Miracle 139 International

I have a range of administrative and supervisory experience, dating back to 2010 when I founded and ran a 501c3 non-profit organization, Re Spectrum Community from 2010-2014, providing services to a range of ages, identities and concerns where 60% of the clients identified as having some sort of neurodiversity and the other 40% were made up of individuals with varying mental health concerns or family members of neurodivergent individuals. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for and engaged in curriculum development, implimentation, training and oversight. Re Spectrum Community was absorbed by San Diego Center for Children (SDCC) in 2014 where I was able to grow the team of six to twenty fix staff over the five years served as Autism & Mental Health Services Manager.
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The best part of my work has been the opportunity to provide mentorship and training to aspiring therapists, educators and service providers. Claire Muller was one of the graduate students I was fortunate to mentor and continue to work alongside.
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In 2019, I joined Cortica Healthcare Inc., a neurology healthcare clinic, to oversee the family counseling program across all sites in California. As a start up and fast growing company, I served as the Executive Director of Family Counseling having the opportunity to once again mentor phenomenal therapists in their work to support neurodiversity from a mental health and relational lens.
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When the pandemic began in 2020, I had the good fortune to take a step back from the fast-paced corporate world and focus back on my real passions, direct client support and being with my family. After a year with a group practice, I launched Respect Family Therapy & Consulting and continue to support the development and growth of therapists, other professionals and parents globally. Currently, I am also fortunate to have the pleasure and opportunity to be an Instructor for the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) in their three vocational training programs for autistic adults.
Administrative & Supervisory Experience
TESTIMONIAL
“I had the opportunity to co facilitate with Courtney a postconference workshop at the international narrative therapy conference in Mumbai in February 2020. Courtney was superbly organised, prompt in her communication, and it was a pleasure to plan and conduct the workshop with her. The workshop had rich content and Courtney drew upon her vast professional experience to make it accessible to participants from different cultural and professional contexts. The participants ranged from teachers to therapists and paediatricians from all over India, and the feedback was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. They found the workshop relevant to their practice, and noted how participative and interactive it was."
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-Vibha Krishnamurthy
Founder and Executive Director
Ummeed Child Development Center.
Mumbai, India
