Olivia Martinez-Hauge

Olivia Martinez-Hauge, MA

Occupational Therapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, & Co-Director of the CFCN and Occupational Therapy Division

University of Southern California

I love being an occupational therapist. I have been an OT for over two decades, working primarily in school districts and in private practice. Like my children, I didn’t think I could love another career as much as I loved my first. I started my journey to become a marriage and family therapist (MFT) in 2013 and was licensed in 2021. While occupational therapy has its roots in mental health, my education in clinical psychology only enhanced my practice as a whole and even my parenting!

I am a parent of three; two of my children have multiple neurodivergences. Our family loves road trips, the beach, watermelon, and movie nights. My expectation of inclusion begins in my home and extends to our community and schools. I am an advocate for accessibility and neuro-affirming care.

I am the Co-Director of the Occupational Therapy Division at the Center for Connection (CFC) and the CFC-N, which is part of the CFC. We are a neuro-affirming practice supporting everyone from birth through life’s developmental stages. I have supported individuals with a wide range of disabilities and neurodivergences. I specialize in Autism and co-morbid/ related vulnerabilities, children with behavioral challenges, and supporting families with the days-to-day challenges of school, Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), and access.

I also specialize in supporting caregivers with the emotional ebbs and flows that naturally occur with the responsibility of raising a neurodiverse child. While I always have my OT hat on, my MFT practice focuses on your mental health and themes of fear, future thinking, anxiety, grief, depression, and family/couple dynamics.  My practice expands beyond parent, caregivers, and families, as I also see individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, life/career transitions, and aging. I am a regular speaker at professional conferences and universities integrating occupational therapy, marriage and family therapy, and the parent perspective.