Olivia Benning
Student Therapist
Hi! I’m Olivia. Whatever brought you here, you don’t need to have it all figured out before we meet. Sometimes it’s one big thing, and sometimes it’s many little things that have slowly become too much. We can slow things down, make sense of what’s happening, and work through it together, piece by piece.
I want to understand more than just what’s been difficult. I want to understand you, what matters to you, and how your experiences have shaped the way you see yourself and the world. We can take the time to explore what needs understanding while also finding practical ways to make things feel a little more manageable.
My path to counselling has taken me from studying psychology at Western University to pursuing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, as well as my experience as a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone. I’m incredibly grateful to be completing my practicum at Rebound Total Health, where I bring genuine care, thoughtful curiosity, and a commitment to listening closely, thinking alongside you, and helping you work through whatever brings us together.
My goal is to help you explore yourself with curiosity and self-compassion while deepening your connection to your emotions and body!
We can connect virtually or in person
Whether you’re near or far, I can help you bounce back. We can meet in-person in a calming, quiet environment in our newly renovated office space in Dundas, Ontario. We can also meet conveniently online or via telephone, giving you more flexibility to choose a time and place that works for you and your busy schedule.
If you’re ready to start, book a free consultation with me below.
What Can I Help you with?
I have experience working with teens, young adults, and adults. Do you need help with any of the struggles listed below? I can help!
- Anxiety & Overthinking
- Depression & Low Mood
- Perfectionism & Self-Imposed Pressure
- People-Pleasing
- Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
- Friendship & Peer Relationships
- Family Conflict & Expectations
- Loneliness & Feeling Misunderstood
- Life Transitions
- Emotional Regulation
- Stress & Burnout
- Academic Pressure
- Social Anxiety & Fear of Judgment
- Boundaries & Assertiveness
- Coping Skills
- Grief & Loss
- Sense of Purpose & Direction
- Shame & Guilt
- Caregiver Stress & Compassion Fatigue
Don’t see your struggle on the list above?
Let’s chat in a free consultation to see if I can help you or if someone on the Rebound team would be a better fit.
Working with me
My goal is for you to feel comfortable being yourself and confident that what matters to you matters to me too. I want you to leave our conversations feeling a little less overwhelmed, with a clearer understanding of what you’re going through and a sense that we’re making progress together, one piece at a time.
Worth mentioning
As clients decide who they want to work with for counselling, there’s lots to take into consideration! Here are some additional perks you should know of!
I care about getting to know you beyond the challenges that bring you to therapy. I’ll listen closely, make room for the details that might otherwise go unnoticed, and take the time to understand your experiences without rushing to conclusions.
I bring a calm, down-to-earth approach to therapy. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, knowing there’s no pressure to have everything figured out or move faster than you’re ready for.
I understand that finding time for therapy can be challenging alongside work, school, family, and everything in between. I aim to offer flexible scheduling that allows you to prioritize your well-being while balancing the demands of everyday life.
What does a session with me look like?
My sessions are relaxed and conversational, with the flexibility to focus on whatever feels most important to you that day. There’s no expectation to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about, and we can take our time figuring out what would be most helpful. I am committed to listening closely, being thoughtful in how I respond, and making sure our time together is guided by what matters to you.
Q&A just for fun
Q: Dogs or Cats?
A: I love them both! However, my two dogs, may make me a little biased.
Q: Guilty Pleasure?
A: Adding things to my online cart and then never actually checking out.
Q: Favourite Season?
A: Definitely fall. I love the smell of the air when the season starts to change, baking more, and being able to wear my favourite sweaters again.
Q: Favourite Saying?
A: “Trust in timing”
Q: Biggest Pet Peeve
A: When I make a tea and forget about it until it’s cold.
Q: Ideal Vacation?
A: Somewhere with amazing food, drinks, and good company. I love exploring somewhere new while still having time to slow down and enjoy it.
Q: Hobbies?
A: Painting and anything creative, especially when I need to clear my mind. I also love reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
Q: Big Dreams?
A: To build a life and career I genuinely love, keep seeing as much of the world as I can, and to have a family of my own one day.
My Approach
The way we think, feel, and respond to life’s challenges doesn’t develop in isolation. Our experiences shape us, and understanding those connections can help us see ourselves and our circumstances differently. I draw from different therapeutic perspectives, allowing our approach to be shaped by our conversations rather than deciding in advance what therapy should look like for you. Sometimes we’ll spend time understanding what’s behind a particular pattern, while other times we’ll focus on practical ways to approach what’s happening in your life. Throughout our work, I’ll value your input, welcome your feedback, and bring care and honesty to every conversation.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Difficult emotions can sometimes take over before we have a chance to decide how we want to respond. DBT offers practical strategies for getting through those moments, managing emotions more effectively, and making choices that feel more intentional.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT can help you make room for difficult thoughts and feelings without allowing them to decide what comes next. We can explore what truly matters to you and find meaningful ways to keep moving toward the life you want, even when things feel uncomfortable or uncertain.
Metacognitive Therapy
Our minds can easily become caught in cycles of worrying, replaying, and anticipating. Metacognitive therapy helps us understand how these cycles are maintained and develop greater flexibility in where we direct our attention.
Attachment-Informed Therapy
The relationships we experience throughout our lives can shape what we learn about trust, closeness, vulnerability, and our own needs. An attachment-informed approach helps us understand these patterns with less judgment and build healthier ways of relating to ourselves and others.
Schema Therapy
The patterns we fall into often make more sense when we understand how they developed. Schema therapy helps uncover the deeper beliefs and emotional needs behind the ways we think, feel, and respond, creating room to approach familiar situations differently.
Credentials
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Yorkville University (In Progress)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Western University.
Fees & Session Costs
Individual 50-Minute Session $90
Couples’ 50-Minute Session $110
Training Highlights
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Training | February 2025
Crisis Response Training Kids Help Phone | May 2023
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis
Interested in working with Me?
As your counsellor I provide a comfortable, judgement-free space for help and healing.
When you’re ready, I invite individuals from all walks of life to reach out for a free consultation to see if we’re the right fit.