Therapist head shot, looking at the camera and smiling, sitting on a brown couch with a plant in the distance

Hi, I’m Olivia Tomfohrde, Ph.D LMFT.

Struggling with all life has tossed at you? Feeling overwhelmed with kids, relationships, and family? Working with an ADHD or anxious brain and feeling overwhelmed? Whatever it is, I’m here to help.

Hi! I’m Olivia. I’m an experienced licensed marriage and family therapist who works with all types of clients but I specialize in working with parents, women who feel overwhelmed, and families who are dealing with anxiety, ADHD stress, life transitions and, trauma.

I know how hard it can be to find the right therapist. I place great value on the therapeutic relationship. 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. I know how hard it is to reach out for help, I’ve been there, but I also know the feelings of relief and freedom that can come from receiving help and addressing the challenges you face. It may be challenging to share your story, but I’ll walk through it with you.

I have a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Ph.D in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. I’ve worked in clinics, schools, children’s hospitals, and with families in a variety of settings. No matter where I’ve worked or what I’ve studied, I keep coming back to how important the family is. Luckily, I’ve found a career that allows me to connect with families each and every day who want to build calm, connected, and happy lives.

In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, and dog. I am an aspiring gardener, knitter, and needle pointer, a lover of all crafts, and you can often find me in the kitchen or reading a book. I love being outdoors, traveling, hiking, or checking out events around town. As a native Wisconsinite, I am also a lover of all things cheese.

Badge with teal background that reads "Safe & Sound Protocol" at the top, a white banner in the center with pink text that says "Trained & Certified," and the logo "Unyte" at the bottom.
EMDR International Association logo with the text EMDR Certified Therapist
A badge with a blue and orange laurel wreath, a star at the top, and the text "AAMFT CLINICAL FELLOW" in the center.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

EMDR Certified Therapist and CIT

Safe & Sound Certified Provider

MN MFT Board Approved Supervisor

My Approach to Therapy

As a marriage and family therapist, I recognize the impact that our families have on our lives; even the events that have happened long ago impact our day to day experience. I view each client as a whole person and I consider the the context they’re living in. Each person is shaped by their families, by the world we live in, and the people that surrounds us. In therapy I help you explore your past experiences, thoughts, and feelings to understand yourself and to support you in uncovering patterns underneath the surface that may be holding you back.

I’m a trauma informed therapist, certified in EMDR, and I view things through a trauma informed lens. When I support adoptive parents, I work with them to understand the role of trauma in shaping the developing brain and how that impacts child development and behavioral and emotional regulation. When I work with parents, we consider how past experiences in the family of origin shape your current experience of being a parent. We can dig into emotional dysregulation, understand what is going on, where the dysregulation comes from and find a route to a regulated and more connected sense of self.

And most importantly, I value my relationship with my clients. Research has shown us that one of the best predictors of successful therapy is the relationship that you have with your provider. I work hard get to know each of my clients so they can establish a sense of trust and safety. I’m not a closed-book, I’m happy for you to get to know me; I understand that to share our inner most thoughts with someone we have to know them. I show up in the therapy room as I do in my outside life. I’m warm, honest, and kind, and I use some humor to help get us through the hard times. When you come into therapy I want you to feel heard, seen, and respected. I love getting to know my clients and hear their stories. For a kid who was curious (my mom would say I was nosy), talkative, and empathetic, I really landed in the right career.


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