Matthew Maya

Background

About Matthew Maya

Matthew has worn many hats at Stillwater Academy over the last twelve years. He began working as a Client Support Specialist in 2016 during his undergraduate education. While studying social work over the next couple of years Matthew worked in various positions and organizations as a child welfare advocate, a LGBTQIA+ youth group leader, and a resource facilitator for foster parents. Matthew graduated with his Masters of Social Work in 2022 and worked as a family therapist for Stillwater Academy for two years. In 2023, he continued working towards complete licensure with the female-owned Blue Skies Counseling in Salt Lake City, and continues to do outpatient therapy for the practice part-time. Matthew is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Emotion Focused Individual Therapy (EFiT). He utilizes an attachment- and trauma-informed approach in his care of individuals and families, as well as incorporating somatic experiences such as guided meditation, inner-child work, and energetic healing. Matthew is a proud member and ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and has spent much of his career advocating for and studying gender, sexuality, race, and diversity inclusivity. He has a special interest in working with individuals and families struggling with trauma and attachment, identity issues, and faith transitions. As Program Director, Matthew’s primary responsibilities include supervision and management of our Case Manager and Client Support Specialist teams including coaching and mentorship; management over our milieu; facilitating trainings with staff on ethics, diversity, evidence-based treatment modalities, and trauma-informed care; as well overall program development and improvement and crisis support. Matthew is also trained in the art of Reiki, or energy healing, which is a Eastern form of medicine and a complementary approach to healing trauma, pain, anxiety and depression, as well as other negative energies by utilizing the universal energy that lives in all of us.