Matthew Reddam

Background

About Matthew Reddam

Since 2003 I have dedicated my career to better understanding, supporting, and advocating for children and families who have experienced traumatic stress. As a licensed therapist who has worked in county systems, non-profits, and in private practice, I have a deep respect for the efficacy of mental health treatment, as well as an understanding of it's limitations. In 2011 I was introduced to East Bay Agency for Children through work on the Trauma Awareness Group, a group treatment paradigm designed to treat complex trauma in BIPOC youth. Through that work, and the amazing colleagues I was exposed to, I learned that discussing trauma without discussing race, was in fact, not truly discussing either. Throughout this period of time, I had a thriving private practice and consulting business and helped found Trauma Transformed Bay Area where I was able to further learn about the role social justice played in the work, as well as being exposed to some of the most innovative minds in the field. In 2018 I was living in a canyon below the town of Paradise CA. At that time I was consulting with a number of schools in Paradise on developing trauma responsive systems. On November 8th at 5:33am, the most deadly and destructive wildfire in California's deep history, tore through the Paradise Ridge and beyond. From that time my understanding of the impact of traumatic stress, my understanding of resilience, recovery, and renewal, have unalterably changed. I continue to have the honor of working with Paradise Unified to assist their staff and students in recovery. I currently live in Chico California with my wife Megan, and my two boys, Liam and Caleb. Since 2019 I have had the pleasure of working full time as a Mental Health and Wellness Advisor for the County Office of Education. I continue to believe that science, justice, and relationship, can lead us out of the current crises we find ourselves in.