Stephanie J. Thorson-Olsen, PhD

Antioch University
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Dr. Stephanie Thorson-Olesen is a Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) at Antioch University Seattle. She is the Director of Research and Dissertation. She earned her PhD from Capella University and a Master’s degree from Winona State University in Minnesota. She also has a Professional Certificate in Online Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Thorson-Olesen was previously a tenured faculty member at Viterbo University and was awarded the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership Research Fellowship, Advisor of the Year, and Teacher of the Year.

She has served as Chair of Diversity, Interim Faculty Chair, and Assistant Dean and was elected as the Faculty Council Chair. She co-authored and was awarded federal grant funding to expand counseling services in rural areas and emphasize integrative care practices. She also served on the University President’s Advisory Council. Most recently, she was awarded the prestigious David Van Doren Leadership and Service award from the Wisconsin Counseling Association (WCA), a Branch of the American Counseling Association. She has served on the Executive Board for the WCA and was the Editor of the Association Journal. She has previously been involved in mental health policy-making at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and Chi Sigma Iota.

Core Faculty

Counselor Education and Supervision (CES)

Director of Research and Dissertation

Counselor Education and Supervision (CES)

[email protected]

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, PhD, Capella University
    • Dissertation Title: Marital values and Satisfaction: Considerations for domestic and international couples.
  • Master of Science in Counselor Education, Community Counseling, MS
    • Winona State University
    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) approved program
    • Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society – Rho Sigma Upsilon President
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, BA
    • Winona State University
    • Minor in Sociology
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., Eckert, S., Oefstedahl, J., & Murl, S. (2020). Dispositional gratitude and marriage satisfaction. Journal of Health Science and Education,4(6), 1-6. doi:100.0000/JHSE.1000200
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., Lawson, J., & Goins, K. (2020). Examining the counselor role in combating racial injustices: Including theoretical recommendations. Wisconsin Counseling Journal, 33, 70-78.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., Meinertz, N., & Eckert, S. (2018). Caring for aging populations: Examining compassion fatigue and satisfaction. Journal of Adult Development. doi:1007/s10804-018-9315-z
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Eckert, S. (2016). Counseling considerations for the caregivers of aging adults. Wisconsin Counseling Journal, 29, 61-66.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2016). Examining the satisfaction and values of domestic and international marriages. Psychology Research, 12(5), 701-707. doi:10.17265/2159-5542/2015.12.005
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. & Mensink, A. (2021, October). Helping students understand the nuances of substance abuse recovery in rural areas. Poster at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Mensink, A. & Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2021, October). Does your course measure up? Poster at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. & Murray, D. (2021, August). The multifaceted role of social support in sobriety: A phenomenological study. Poster at the American Psychological Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. & Baker, M. (2021, August). Identifying leisure needs, interests and adaptations for aging adults. Poster at the American Psychological Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2021, July). Athlete perceptions of favorable and unfavorable coaching styles. Poster at the 32nd International Congress of Psychology, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2021, July). Dispositional gratitude correlated with marriage satisfaction. Oral presentation at the 32nd International Congress of Psychology, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Oefstedahl, J. (2020, March). Integrative care considerations for moms struggling with opioid use. Round Table at the VOICE Opioid Recovery Summit, La Crosse, WI.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Frank, R. (2019, November). Vaping and e-cigarettes: Are they a healthy alternative? Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual Conference, Madison, WI.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Murray, D. (2019, October). The substance abuse epidemic: Understanding sobriety strategies for success. Poster at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Seattle, WA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Murray, D. (2019, March). Advocating for access: Pre-engagement Groups as an alternative to waitlists. Poster presentation at the American Counseling Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., Murray, D., & Baker, M. (2019, March). Domestic immersion: Building the cultural competence of counselors-in-training. Poster presentation at the American Counseling Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Murray, D. (2018, November). Advocacy in action. Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual Conference, Madison, WI.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Latten, J. (2017, November). Multicultural counseling: Considerations for African American clients. Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2017, October). Overcoming access obstacles with pre-engagement opportunities. Poster presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Murray, D., Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Winchel, A. (2017, October). Developing domestic immersion experiences for mental health counselors in training. Poster presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2017, January). Reframing research methods using application assignments. Poster presented at the National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology, St. Pete’s Beach, FL.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2017, January). Creating a climate conducive to discussing diversity. Participant idea exchange presented at the National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology, St. Pete’s Beach, FL.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2016, November). Strategies for counseling immigrants and refugees. Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual Summit, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Eckert, S., & Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2016, October). Examining marriage satisfaction and gratitude.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Eckert, S. (2016, June). Advocating for aging adults and caregivers. Poster presented at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2016, May). Inspiring students to shift from apprehension to action in psychological research. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Sciences – Teaching Institute, Chicago, IL.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Eckert, S. (2016, May). Examining the fatigue of formal and family caregivers for the elderly. Poster presented at the Association for the Psychological Sciences, Chicago, IL.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2016, April). Enhancing compassion satisfaction when working with aging adult issues. Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Spring Summit, Madison, WI.
  • Murray, D. & Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2015, October). Helping learners move from apprehension to action: Counselor education and research. Poster presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J., & Meinertz, N. (2015, August). Caring for aging populations: Compassion fatigue and satisfaction. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association National Convention, Toronto, Canada.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2015, March). Domestic and international marital values and satisfaction. Poster presented at the International Convention of Psychological Science, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  • Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2015, January). The art of teaching psychology and managing student mental health. Poster presented at the National Institute for the Teaching of Psychology, St. Petersburg, FL.
  • Murray, D., & Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2013, November). Resiliency care package. Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual Conference, Madison, WI.
  • Murray, D., & Thorson-Olesen, S. J. (2013, November). Compassionate conversations to promote quality of life. Presentation at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual Conference, Madison, WI.

Invited Lectures/Speeches

  • Keynote Speaker for Viterbo University All Student-Athlete Gathering. (2021). Student athlete mental health.
  • Invited Presenter at the Western Association for College Admission Counseling. (2019, May). Developing cultural awareness for admission counseling.
  • Invited Presenter at the Wisconsin College and University Professional Association for Human Resources Conference. (2018, May). Discovering diversity using the respectful model.
  • Invited Presenter at Central High School. (2017, October). Exploring immigration: Discovering diversity.
  • Invited Presenter at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Wisconsin State Conference. (2016, October). Integrating research into your program.
  • Invited Presenter at Wisconsin Public Radio. (2016). Research regarding the needs of aging adults and caregivers.
  • Invited Presenter at Wisconsin Public Radio. (2016). Transportation for the elderly.
  • Keynote Speaker for the Viterbo University Commencement Ceremony (2013, 2014). Steps.
  • David Van Doren Leadership and Service Award, Wisconsin Counseling Association, A Branch of the American Counseling Association, 2021
  • Teacher of the Year, Viterbo University, 2018
  • Among the Viterbo University employees recognized at the YWCA Tribute to Outstanding Women, 2017 & 2018
  • Participated in the United Nations Psychology Day, UN Headquarters, New York, 2017
  • Academic Advisor of the Year, Viterbo University, 2016
  • Recognition Award Sponsored by the Wisconsin Honorary of Involved Leaders and the National Residence Hall Association for the Diversity Program at Viterbo University, 2016
  • Reviewer for the Wisconsin Counseling Journal
  • Wisconsin Counseling Association Executive Board – Treasurer
  • Editor of the Wisconsin Counseling Association Journal
  • American Counseling Association
  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
  • Wisconsin Counseling Association
  • Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International Member
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