Mimi Olavarrieta (she/her)

I often look beyond the individual symptom or behavior to understand the larger relational system around it. This is especially central to my work with teens and families. I help families identify patterns in communication, conflict, roles, boundaries, and attachment, while creating space for each person’s experience. My goal is not to assign blame, but to help families better understand one another and build a safer, more connected way of relating.

I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is an important part of healing. I work with authenticity, curiosity, humor, and genuine human connection rather than approaching therapy from a distant or overly clinical stance. This is particularly important in my work with teens, who often disengage when they feel analyzed, lectured, or pressured to talk. I focus first on building trust and creating a space where clients can feel respected, understood, and able to show up as they are.

I help clients explore the deeper patterns, relationships, experiences, and beliefs that may be shaping how they feel and respond in the present. Rather than focusing only on symptom reduction, I am interested in understanding what may be happening underneath a behavior or emotional response and how earlier experiences may continue to influence current relationships, coping strategies, and sense of self. I integrate this deeper exploration with practical tools when clients need more immediate su

A significant part of my work has been with teens and families navigating conflict, disconnection, breakdowns in communication, and difficulty rebuilding trust. I help families look beyond the immediate argument or behavior to understand the patterns underneath it. My work focuses on improving communication, strengthening boundaries, increasing understanding between family members, and creating a home environment that feels safer and more supportive for everyone.

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

I have spent much of my clinical career working with teens and their families, including in residential treatment settings. I am especially comfortable with teens who are guarded, overwhelmed, acting out, using substances, struggling in school, or simply do not have the words for what is going on. I focus first on trust and connection, then help teens understand what is underneath the behavior and find healthier ways to cope, communicate, and feel more like themselves.

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

Much of my work with adolescents has included co-occurring mental health and substance-use concerns, including experience in residential treatment settings. I approach substance use without judgment and with curiosity about the role it may be serving in a person's life. Together, we look at triggers, patterns, underlying emotions, relationships, and the function of the behavior while developing healthier ways of coping, increasing insight, and supporting changes that are realistic and sustainabl

I have extensive experience working with teens and adults struggling with substance use and other addictive or compulsive behaviors, often alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, or family conflict. I try to understand what the behavior is doing for the person rather than reducing them to the behavior itself. From there, we work on triggers, patterns, underlying needs, and more sustainable ways of coping and creating change.

I have extensive experience working with teens and adults struggling with substance use and other addictive or compulsive behaviors, often alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, or family conflict. I try to understand what the behavior is doing for the person rather than reducing them to the behavior itself. From there, we work on triggers, patterns, underlying needs, and more sustainable ways of coping and creating change.