• Assistant Professor of Counseling
  • Field Director of Clinical Mental Health Graduate Counseling
Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

About Me

I'm an Assistant Professor of Counseling and I also work as the Field Director of Clinical Mental Health Graduate Counseling. I'm a first generation college student who always knew I wanted to do something in the helping professions, and my footsteps were ordered so that I found the counseling field when I least expected. I have extensive private practice experience, both as owner and counselor, and working with students who will be our next generation of helpers is truly a joy! I live in the DFW area of Texas with my husband and son. We love travel and hiking together.

Why I’m At Mary

From the moment I arrived on campus, it felt like I finally found where I was supposed to be, both personally and professionally. The immediate experience of seeing the Benedictine values in action with my warm welcome confirmed my wish to work at Mary. The values are not merely words on paper; each one is demonstrated wholeheartedly.

Expertise

  • Counselor Educator - 2014 to present
  • Private Practice Owner & Counselor - 2019 to present
  • Clinical Supervisor for Residential Treatment - 2015 - 2019
  • President - Texas Mental Health Counselors Association; 2021-2023 (Fulfilled term)
  • Research Committee Chair for Board of Directors for North Central Texas Counseling Association, Fort Worth, TX; 2016 - 2021
  • Student Apprentice Editor for The Qualitative Report Editorial Review Board; April 2014-April 2015

I have worked in group practice, higher education, community mental health and non-profit, residential treatment, and transitional housing for homeless women. Since 2020, I have specialized in postpartum mental health in my practice.

Wedel, Olivia D. (2017). Factors contributing to resilience for women pursuing higher education: A focus on Central Appalachia. Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global; Publicly Available Content Database. (10281395).

Invited Co-Presenter for the Texas Counseling Association Professional Growth Conference Learning Institute (with the TMHCA Board of Directors): “Professional Identity & Specialized Services: Finding Your Niche in Counseling” (6.5-hour Leadership Training) – Houston, Texas – November 2023

Opening Plenary Speaker for the American Mental Health Counselors Association State Chapter Leadership Training: “Wellness and Leadership” – New Orleans, Louisiana – June 2023

Invited Presenter for the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association Conference: “Solution-Focused Supervision with Solution-Focused & Non-Solution Focused Therapists: Building Collaboration and Enhancing Skills” (with Dr. Frank Thomas, LMFT-S) – Montreal, Quebec; November 2019

Education

PhD (Philosophy in Counseling & Counselor Education): TCU, 2017
MEd (Counseling): TCU, 2007
BS (Human Services Counseling): Old Dominion University, 2004

Featured Content

Recipient of the North Central Texas Counseling Association's 'Counselor of the Year' Award; May 2024

Hidden Gems: Meet Olivia Wedel of Olivia Wedel Counseling & Consulting

LinkedIn Page