Olivia M Ratliff
Olivia Ratliff is a dedicated mental health professional specializing in youth services, with nearly three years of experience supporting transitional age youth (ages 16–25) in Appalachia. She currently serves as the Therapeutic Rehabilitation Program (TRP) Supervisor and Clinician at Mountain Comprehensive Care Center and The Prestonsburg Clubhouse Youth Drop-In Center. In these roles, Olivia provides structured individual and group services that focus on skill-building, psychoeducation, and independent living, particularly for youth with severe mental illnesses. Her work emphasizes creating safe, empowering spaces where young people feel heard, supported, and able to develop resilience. A native of Appalachia and a second-generation counselor, Olivia was inspired by her parents’ work in mental health to pursue her own career in counseling. She earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Human Diversity and a M.A. in Education with a focus on K–12 School Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. Olivia has also obtained certifications in SIPS (Structured Interview for Psychosis-risk Syndromes) through Yale University’s PRIME Clinic, ASIST, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and CODE RED, equipping her to assess psychosis risk, respond to crises, and provide trauma-informed care for youth. Olivia’s professional philosophy centers on leading beside her clients rather than from above, modeling accountability, compassion, and resilience. Beyond her clinical duties, she designs and facilitates youth programs that foster leadership, connection, and community engagement. An active member of the Kentucky Counseling Association, she remains committed to mental health advocacy, continuous learning, and empowering Appalachian youth to navigate the critical transition from adolescence into adulthood.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• CODE RED (Active Threat Response)
• SIPS (Structured Interview for Psychosis-risk Syndromes)
• University of the Cumberlands - M.A. Ed.
• Kentucky Counseling Association
• Spanish National Honors Society
• Lillian McDonald's National Honors Society
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my support system and my own determination. My faith has always been kind of a quiet anchor in my life, so that grounds me. Having that foundation of people who believe in me, combined with my personal drive to make a difference, and my faith keeping me centered - those three things together have really been what's carried me through and allowed me to grow in this field.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I can share is to be very honest about what this work entails. The work is not easy - there are going to be crises, you'll feel the weight of grant cuts and systemic barriers. But it's also one of the most rewarding careers that you could choose. Learning self-care is not a luxury in this field, it's a responsibility, because if you can't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else. And staying humble and staying teachable - that's huge. You have to remain open to learning and growing, no matter where you are in your career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would be very honest with young women entering this field that the work is not easy. There are going to be crises, and you'll feel the weight of grant cuts and systemic barriers. But it's also one of the most rewarding careers that you could choose. Learning self-care is critical - it's not a luxury in this field, it's a responsibility, because if you can't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else. And staying humble and staying teachable is huge. You need to remain open to growth and learning throughout your entire career, no matter how much experience you gain.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now really fall into systemic issues. We're constantly battling it out with insurances and trying to find fundings or resources. Right now, there's been a huge shift in our systemic system in the sense that a lot of funding has been cut here recently, and that has created a huge barrier for us in the helping field. These funding cuts directly impact our ability to serve the clients who need us most.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my personal life, I lean a lot into my faith - that's my foundation. But in my professional life, because I don't like those to blur, I focus a lot on being better, on having that resilience and that perseverance. I also prioritize having empathy for others. Being an Appalachian youth myself, I know that there is a struggle, but that doesn't mean that there isn't strength there. So I really like to motivate through that - if I can get through it, anybody can. It's about showing others that resilience and strength can come from struggle, and using empathy to connect with and uplift the people I serve.