THE OLSON
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY CLINIC

Carla Jesse graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. Since then, she has leapt through several careers. She was a news announcer and air personality for local radio stations. She was a camp director, ran youth outreach programs and moved up to management positions of several local non-profit agencies. More recently, Carla offered unparalleled customer service and occasional unsolicited advice working in a small gift shop as she cared for a disabled family member.  

Carla became interested in marriage and family therapy via her own quest for personal peace amid the demands of being a caregiver, parent, and holding two part-time jobs. She witnessed that it is through the support of good people that we can survive and even thrive in troubled times. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside others as they search for peace within themselves and their world. 

Carla understands that healthy relationships are an essential ingredient to overall mental wellness and takes a systemic approach in therapy. She will honor your life experience and is ready to meet you wherever you are on your journey to wellbeing. Guided by humility, genuine empathy, and a dash of humor, she strives to create a safe and healing environment while gently challenging clients to examine their own stories and dilemmas with fresh perspective.   

When she is not working or at the Olson Clinic, Carla enjoys spending time with family, making music, walking in nature, and playing with yarn, fabric, or paint.