Therapist | Teacher | Mom | Hobby Enthusiast Olivia Tomfohrde, Ph.D., LMFT
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your head, or struggling to show up as a parent—you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m Olivia, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Eden Prairie. I specialize in working with parents, families, and children as they navigate anxiety, parenting, trauma, ADHD, and family conflict.
I know how hard it can be to find the right therapist, to open yourself up, and to sit with a stranger. I place a lot of value on the relationship we build, so it doesn’t feel like you’re talking to a stranger, but coming to see Olivia—someone who is happy to see you exactly as you are.
Research has shown us that one of the top predictors of successful therapy is the therapist and client relationship. I am warm, compassionate, non-judgmental, and honest. In order to help my clients feel supported I focus on finding their strengths, being present with them, incorporating humor, and building trust.
More About Me
I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. I loved UWEC and keep my connection to the community there by teaching a human development course in the psychology department.
I attended the University of Wisconsin- Stout’s marriage and family therapy program for my master’s degree.
As a firm believer that you can never learn enough, I went back to school to get my PhD in Family Social Science at The University of Minnesota. While I was there I did family research, focusing on the child welfare system, parenting, and the intergenerational transmission of trauma.
I have over a decade of experience working with families, of all types, in all kinds of settings. My work continually reminds me that we all come from families, and understanding our relationships with each other is necessary to understanding who we are and where we’re going.
Outside of the Office
I’m a mom to a VERY busy 2 year old daughter and a very sweet 13 year old cockapoo.
Outside of work I love spending time with my husband, daughter, and dog. I am a big believer that we all need and deserve time for hobbies and ourselves. I try to find small moments in my busy days to do something creative. As a woman with ADHD, I have a very overflowing craft closet and a lot of hobbies that I enjoy (needlepoint, sewing, crochet, reading).
I love to cook (my daughter oddly enough loves “chopping” onions and always wants to help), read, garden, and spend time outdoors. And as a native Wisconsinite I am a big lover of cheese.
Published Works & Research Activities
Systematic assessment of family service barriers to support youth engagement with health and social care.
Barriers and facilitators of sibling relationships of youth in foster care from an ecological perspective.
Connecting and engaging with health and social care: Exploring components of a telephone and web-mediated family
Sibling separation: Learning from former foster youth’s experiences
Fostering social connectedness among adolescents and adults with autism: A qualitative analysis
Breastfeeding mothers’ use of technology while breastfeeding