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Courtney Olinger, PsyD, LMFT
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
I help people who feel out of sync with expectations (internally, relationally, or systemically)
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Autistic individuals (all support levels) and their family members
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People navigating executive functioning & sensory processing
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People rethinking productivity and success
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Queer/trans clients navigating identity & systems
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Parents wanting to do things differently
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My own sensory processing differences and experiences with neurodivergent family members have added a greater understanding to personal and interpersonal journeys. I tirelessly advocate across different systems for more expansive awareness and understanding of diverse needs of people, no matter their neuro-cognitive style or other identities. I have experience in behavioral, educational, vocational, neurology healthcare, and community settings. Outside of work, you can find me running on the beach, playing soccer or exploring with my family.
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Consulting, Mentoring & Supervising:
Many therapists, educators, and behavioral health providers feel unqualified to work with autistic individuals.
You likely have the skills and just need support to locate what will work for you.
I offer professional development trainings, one time consultations, or on-going mentorship for your work with autistic individuals and their families.
​Workshops:
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​Workshops and presentations are available on a variety of topics and intersecting needs from mental health, autism, neurodiversity lens, rethinking behavior, and narrative practices.
I tailor speaking engagements to the needs of the attendees and would love to speak with you to see how we might support your work or your organization, in-person or virtually.
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- Rethinking autism & mental health
- The overlooked sensory processing to support your everyday needs
- Parenting your neurodivergent child with more than understanding, shifting to affirmation and practice
- Moving beyond masking: Supporting autistic clients ethically
- Is worth it? Re-examining expectations that have us feeling stuck and miserable
- Playful ways to approach deep concerns: Finding creativity and freedom in the midst of anxiety, OCD, and more.
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, implementation, 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. I was fortunate to mentor and continue to work alongside many of these therapists as they began their career path.
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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. I was 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 from 2023-2025.
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
