Meet Kaitlin Olson | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Olson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ever since I decided to become a therapist, I dreamed of opening my own private practice.
One of the biggest draws to this career was its flexibility. At the time, I didn’t have children yet, but I knew I wanted to be present with them—to take them to school, be home when they needed me, and still have a meaningful career helping others and providing for my family. I feel incredibly grateful to have built a practice that allows for this kind of balance. I know it’s a privilege not everyone has, and I don’t take it for granted.

Beyond flexibility, I’ve always wanted to show up for my clients in an authentic way.
From the approach I use, to how I dress, to the way my office feels—it all reflects who I am. “Impostor syndrome” is a term that gets used a lot in the therapy world, and for good reason. Many of us—especially in the early years—struggle with self-doubt. I certainly did. As an associate working in a group practice, I often questioned whether I was truly helping people. I didn’t yet know who I was as a therapist, and that uncertainty showed. I thought I had to fit a mold—be a certain type of therapist to be “good”—but all that did was disconnect me further from myself.

It took time to realize that my strength lies in being a direct, empowering ally—not whatever type of therapist thought I was supposed to be.

What should our readers know about your business?
I run a small private therapy practice in Ventura, CA, where I specialize in working with teens, adults, and couples.
My clients often come to me struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, difficult childhood experiences, low self-esteem and parenting stress. I use an attachment-based, integrative approach that helps you explore how your past relationships—especially those from childhood—might be shaping the way you experience life today. What I believe sets me apart is the way I approach therapy. I completed my associateship during the pandemic, which meant learning to do therapy in a more stripped-down, resource-limited environment. It was challenging—but also incredibly formative. It taught me that therapy doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective. At its core, it’s about human connection, safety, honesty, and showing up consistently. That belief continues to guide my work today.

Starting a private practice was one of the most rewarding—and challenging—things I’ve ever done.
When I first opened my doors, I had no background in business. I had never dealt with billing, scheduling, or administrative work before, since my previous job handled all of that. So the learning curve was steep. I had to build everything from the ground up. And like with any small business, there was a lot of financial uncertainty in the beginning. It took time to build a steady caseload and develop the systems that keep the practice running smoothly.

Almost two years in, I’m finally feeling some stability—and more confidence in the business side of things. Looking back, I’m grateful for the challenges, because I’ve realized that confidence often comes only after we’ve pushed through the discomfort.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love living in Ventura!
Just FYI-’ve been plant-based for about 8 years, so my food and coffee recommendations might be a little different than most.

If you’re ever in the area, here are a few of our favorite spots:

Hip Vegan in Ojai is our go-to restaurant. It’s beloved by plant-based and non-plant-based people alike.
Taqueria Cuernavaca in Ventura is where we head for great Mexican food.
Rascals in Santa Barbara is worth the drive if you’re up for something a little different and entirely delicious.
And for coffee? Lovewell is our absolute favorite. It’s the cutest little spot with the friendliest staff—and they even have a play area for kids, which is a huge plus for our family.
While you’re nearby, stop by SunOven in Ojai and treat yourself to a plant-based maple donut—they’re seriously the best.
For something fun, book a ceramics class at Clay Parlor, or head to the beach!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who have influenced, supported, and encouraged me—both professionally and personally on this journey.

First, I have to shout out my husband, Ted. You held down the fort while I went back to school, completed an unpaid internship, worked through my associateship, and now navigate building a private practice. All of this happened during a pandemic—and in the middle of it, we had a baby. Thank you for your support.

To my son—you’ve given me more purpose and perspective than I ever imagined. You are the reason behind so much of what I do.

To my parents, thank you for your unwavering support. I truly wouldn’t be a therapist today without your help,

To my mother-in-law, who has driven from L.A. to Ventura every week just to watch our son so I can work—your support is invaluable.

And to my two mentors, Ana and Anita—you are like family. Your insight, encouragement, and belief in me helped me find my footing in this field. I know with certainty I wouldn’t be here without you.

To my favorite supervisor, Amy—
At our last supervision together, you gave me a heartfelt letter with a quote written on the back. You may not know this, but that note still hangs in my office. I read it often as a quiet reminder of why I do what I do.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
— Edith Wharton

Website: https://www.KaitlinOlsonMFT.com

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