The Healing Power of Girlfriends
Deborah Olson teaches women how to create their best life through female connections.
How do you keep friendships alive when you live across the country from each other now? Deborah shares four tips to assure you can stay closely connected to your dear girlfriends, despite the distance!
Deborah has moved to many states across the U.S. and has been able to maintain close friendships for decades. As a women’s emotional health specialist, she’s provided counseling for women about friendships for nearly two decades.
Her book, The Healing Power of Girlfriends, and workshops teach women the three pillars of healthy friendships, how friendships lead to longevity, health, happiness, and well-being, how to nurture female friendships, and how to create new ones. “It helped me to analyze my friendships and weed out the toxic ones and truly cherish others.” – K. D.
- Plan a weekend GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY!
- Use social media to supplement and enhance your friendship connections, but NOT to replace REAL LIFE – REAL TIME relating.
- Seniors 80 years and up who have fun with friends and enjoy a meaningful social life stay healthier, happier, and younger longer! They are our “SUPERAGERS”!
5 tips to making new friends at any AGE or STAGE:
- 1. Be willing to put yourself out there and risk a little— what have you got to lose but new amazing girlfriends you will never meet if you don’t try?
- 2. Say “YES” to invitations when they come, you never know who you may meet at events you are invited to, it may be your next best friend.
- 3. Look for group meet-ups in your area that would be potential places to meet new friends. Whether it is a new wine group, book club, bible study, travel club, knitting group, or cooking class, or cycle club, there are lots of opportunities out there to meet other amazing female friends, just reach out and find your niche and your tribe!
- 4. A great place to make new friends can be the friends of our own friends! If you are invited to a party where you have a chance to meet new friends, often times, the friends of our own friends are people we have lots in common with. So be open to connecting with potential new girlfriends when you attend these meet-ups.
- 5. Remember that it is very possible that there is a girlfriend out there who is also looking for YOU! Yes, for real, she is wanting a new friend and is hoping to meet someone special just like YOU! Don’t keep her waiting — get out there— get in the game of life and GO FOR IT!
Deborah A. Olson, RN, MA, LPC, a women’s emotional health specialist & author, has provided counseling services for nearly two decades in the greater Houston, Texas, area. She offers life enrichment seminars and retreats and provides hands-on solutions to enhance life in meaningful, purposeful and emotionally healthy ways. She is a registered nurse and licensed professional counselor. She also holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Sam Houston State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Thomas.
Interview Questions:
- 1. What were the factors that made you decide to write this book, The Healing Power of Girlfriends?
- 2. What makes this book unique from other books on female friendship?
- 3. In what ways does this book lay a foundation for the power of sisterhood?
- 4. You did your own unique and original research to gather information for the book. Tell us about that.
- 5. What has been your biggest surprise about people’s reaction to your book?
- 6. What are 2 take-aways from your book that you are hoping people will embrace?
- 7. What do you want to accomplish with your book?
- 8. Tell us about the workshops or events you offer.
BIOS:
Radio Bio
Where do you turn to for advice on female friendships? Deborah Olson is an RN, friendship expert, women’s emotional health specialist, keynote speaker, & award-winning author of The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection. Deborah has provided counseling services for nearly two decades and offers seminars, retreats, and hands-on solutions to enhance life in meaningful, purposeful and emotionally healthy ways. Deborah, what’s the most important thing we can do right now to avoid toxic friendships?
Short Bio
Deborah Olson is an RN, women’s emotional health specialist, friendship expert, keynote speaker, & award-winning author of The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection. She’s shared the power of female friendship on The Dr. Phil Show, Great Day Houston, Networking Arizona with Carol Blonder and more. Deborah’s “Girlfriend Retreats” are life changing. As a dynamic and thoughtful speaker, Deborah has spoken on topics such as: Importance of Gal Pals, Seasons of a Woman’s Life and Rediscovering your Passion, to name a few. She also holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Sam Houston State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Thomas.
Full-length Bio
Deborah Olson is an RN, women’s emotional health specialist, friendship expert, keynote speaker, & award-winning author of The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection. She’s shared the power of female friendship on The Dr. Phil Show, Great Day Houston, Networking Arizona with Carol Blonder and more. Deborah’s “Girlfriend Retreats” are life changing. As a dynamic and thoughtful speaker, Deborah has spoken on topics such as: Importance of Gal Pals, Seasons of a Woman’s Life and Rediscovering your Passion, to name a few. She also holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Sam Houston State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Thomas.
As a mother of four adult children, Olson knows firsthand the challenges women face while balancing the many roles of mother, wife, and professional. She is keenly aware of the struggles that couples face in their marital relationships, and after being married for over 40 years, she understands the hard work involved in keeping a marriage healthy.
Olson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Thomas and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Sam Houston State University.
She lives with her husband in a suburb of Houston, Texas. The mother of two daughters and two sons, she is also the proud grandmother of eight and a frequent grand dog pet sitter. Her favorite leisure activities are spending time at the beach, shelling, boating, traveling, scrapbooking, golfing, writing, and being with her family.
MEDIA & PRESS / CONTACT INFO
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Networking Arizona
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Networking Arizona
My interview on the I Love Me Lab Podcast with Gail Buck is now live. Please give it a listen. If you enjoy the episode, please share it with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients.
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Networking Arizona
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”.
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Networking Arizona
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends” and her upcoming Retreat: Girlfriends Texas Wine Country Retreat, Fredericksburg, Texas, March 10-13, 2022.
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Networking Arizona
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Networking Arizona
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Networking Arizona
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Networking Arizona
Independent Press Award 2021
https://www.independentpressaward.com/2021winners
Extraordinary Women RADIO with Kami Guildner
A dynamic and thoughtful speaker, Deborah has spoken on topics such as; Living Joyfully, Seasons of a Woman’s Life, and Finding Our Natural Strengths, to name a few. Whether a Keynote or Session Presenter, she captivates audiences with her message, experience, and insight. Deborah also offers life enrichment seminars and retreats and provides hands-on solutions to enhance life in meaningful, purposeful, and emotionally healthy ways. Her workshops are specially designed for women, and topics include depression, anxiety, life transition issues, empowerment, parenting matters, and romantic relationship problems.
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
The 2020 Indie Originals Talent Competition
Radio broadcast, Indie Originals Live, uncovered a need for an honest yet capable organization to provide advice and assistance to independent musicians. Indie Originals Inc. is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating, supporting, and promoting independent musicians, authors, filmmakers, and talents.
Deborah Olson received the award for Self-Help and Instructional / Reference in Literature.
Peacemindedly Podcast
Deborah and Carmen talk with Sara Jamshdi about the healing power of female connections, something we need during the pandemic and depressing-news era.
Producer Sara Jamshidi is an Iranian-American journalist and former radio producer for Wisconsin Public Radio. Peacemindedly explores peace, kindness and compassion featuring peace activists, peace makers and peace-game-changers. At a time when the news is dominated by updates about the novel Coronavirus and other depressing news in the United States and around the world, Jamshidi wants to share stories that inspire hope and connection.
Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Awards

LIVE with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
Readers’ Favorite
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-healing-power-of-girlfriends
Brummet’s Conscious Blog
https://consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com/2020/05/author-interview.html
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
Cass McCrory Podcast
https://cassmccrory.com/creating-connection-with-friends-and-within-ourselves-with-deborah-olson/
Thrive Global
Thrive Global
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/friendships-promote-emotional-well-being-during-anxious-times/
NonFiction Book Awards Bronze Winner
Nextdoor Blog
https://blog.nextdoor.com/2020/03/04/celebrating-women-in-the-neighborhood/
Thrive Global
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/making-new-friends-irl-in-real-life-when-youre-a-boomer/
Publishers Weekly Review
https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781733701006
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
The Dr. Zoe Show
Back2Basics Podcast – Leticia Latino
The Kelly Williams Show
Ep:60: Why Should I Invest in Good Girlfriends?
LISTEN »This episode is available for download in iTunes and Spotify!

Heart Centered Women TV – Charlotte Howard
http://heartcenteredwomenpublishing.com/tv-2/
HERStory Makers with Christina Wells and Deborah Olson
A DAY OF INSPIRATION, CONNECTION & EMPOWERMENT
LIVE with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX
Deborah was Live with Carol Blonder on her radio talk show to discuss her book, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends”. Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
24 Valuable Books For Women To Read – #16!
https://fupping.com/jacobjacobowitz/2019/06/07/24-valuable-books-for-women-to-read/
THE AUTHOR SHOW – Linda Thompson
READER REVIEWS, by Carol Hoyer
Having just moved to a new state and new neighborhood, I found Deborah A. Olson’s, “The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection,” to be just what I needed. After living in our old state for thirty-five years, I left some very close and cherished friends behind. While I have met some great ladies here, I quickly learned who can be trusted, non-judgmental and have the same interests I have.
Read Full Review »
RADIO KAIR, EAST TEXAS TALK – Diane Blanco
Great Day Houston
Conversations LIVE – Cyrus Webb, Blog Talk Radio
W4WN.com – Radio Toni – Host Toni Lontis, Australia
Interview starts at 17:45
Intermission return at 53:19
Donna Seebo Show – Internet Radio Show, Washington
Radio interview on July 22, 2019 with Donna Seebo on her Donna Seebo Radio Show.
Nebraska Methodist College Alumni Association (NMC) Fan Event: SOCIAL HOUR, DINNER, BOOK DISCUSSION & SIGNING
»
Houston Author Publishes Book on Friendships
Deborah Olson has recently published the book “The Healing Power of Girlfriends.” Olson is a Women’s Emotional Health specialist and works with Galleria Counseling & Consulting in Houston.
Read full article »
Live with Lidia
An in-depth chat and interview with Author of The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection, Deborah Olson.
Deborah, an RN, MA, LPC, has found and written an incredible guide to the healing that an authentic connection and bond to your girlfriends can have on you.
Improve Her Health
The Most Invaluable Self-Help Books for Women Part 2.
Interview with Ausoma, June 5, 2019
Independent Talk 1100 KFNX, June 4, 2019
Radio interview on April 26, 2019 with Carol Blonder, Independent Talk 1100 KFNX.
Chicago Tribune, March 15, 2019
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Contact Info
Deborah Olson
Email: dolson@galleriacounseling.com
Social Media:
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Testimonials
“Thanks for coming to inspire our Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. First, just hearing your story gave them great hope for finding purpose and living meaningful lives during the intense mothering they are immersed in at this stage of life. Also, encouraging them to focus attention on female friendships when they feel so stretched already between husbands and multiple children was so important because too often letting friendships go is the default mentality. Most of the moms are realizing that they need good girlfriends and with your book and MOPS they can start developing some lasting ones according to your Friendship framework. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
– Dot Chapman, MOPS.org
“I heard the author speak at a local event and even though I am in the counseling field, I heard some new ideas about female friendship that I had not ever considered.”
– Diane B.