Autor: Laurie Mattera PhD

Dr. Laurie Mattera has been counseling diverse populations in multiple settings since 1998. Her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology is from Loyola University Chicago. She has successfully worked with individuals, couples, and families assisting them with the problems of daily living while equipping them to develop their strengths, abilities and competencies. Dr. Mattera’s experiences also include work as a career consultant, where she assisted clients in their career and educational choices by exploring their aptitudes, interests, personality and work values through the use of objective assessments and in-depth counseling sessions. While completing her doctoral externship in neuropsychology, she provided inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy to victims of traumatic brain injury, stroke, and to persons suffering from depression and anxiety. Her pre-doctoral internship was at the VA Medical Center in North Chicago, where she worked with veterans dealing with issues related to combat trauma, PTSD, substance abuse, homelessness, and unemployment. She has worked with domestic violence offenders and their families and completed state protocol compliance training in that specialty area. As an educator, Dr. Mattera taught Human Development classes as an adjunct professor. She taught parenting classes using human development theories at the group practice with which she was associated in Palatine, Illinois. She teaches a synchronous, online, graduate course in Neuropsychology at Loyola University Chicago as adjunct faculty. Dr. Mattera has supervised students in the M.A. program in Community Counseling at Loyola University Chicago. She currently works as a neuropsychologist in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, where she provides supportive therapy to persons suffering anxiety and depression and to those who need emotional assistance in adjusting to their medical conditions. Her work also includes assessing the cognitive capabilities of stroke victims and persons whose medical conditions might cause difficulty with their memories, attention, and concentration. Dr. Mattera has authored or co-authored several professional articles and presentations. Her book, Joyful Soul: A Promise Worthy of Trust, takes readers step-by-step through the Areas of Focus (AOFs) in life that most people consider of high priority and value. Dr. Mattera plans to continue her work as a psychologist, writer and educator. She has two adult children, Dan and Sarah. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband Larry and dog, Luke.