Gretchen Mattox, LMFT, CSAT-C

Gretchen Mattox is bright, educated and a gifted therapist. She is extremely caring and compassionate. I have witnessed Gretchen’s passion to find the best and most effective way to engage with each particular client, whether in the room or on the phone. She is professional on all accounts and strives for the kind if therapeutic alliance we would all wish for in a great therapist. I would recommend Gretchen to anyone seeking a gifted, knowledgeable, and compassionate therapist.

I want to believe that they are in this business for the love of the community and society at large, all for altruistic reasons. Not «just» to make money. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with working hard for money. It’s a good thing. It’s healthy! But what if that comes at the expense of one’s integrity and dignity? «To do no harm» is the motto that most people in this profession abide by, I believe. And, to support this motto, these professionals demonstrate an attitude of care, compassion, and empathy. And, they especially want to show their very best, if they’re on the phone with you, for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. They want to show you their best, so that you might want to work with them or refer them to someone else in the future.
But, that is not how she carried herself. By the end of the 15 min. phone conversation, I only felt dismissed, unheard, and criticized, simply for telling her about my experience at another agency, and also because I told her I needed a therapist who could work with me on a sliding scale.
What’s more, she repeatedly «Recommended» those clinics where I had the negative experience. She even acknowledged that those professionals at those clinics behaved unprofessionally, so why would she recommend them again? She said, «Well, I still recommend those clinics.» … If my experiences at those centers that she named left a lot to be desired, why would I go back? Why would I return to a place that is not reliable, doesn’t return phone calls, and drops clients on a whim? I just got the feeling that she took it very personally and acted as though I offended her, when I described those centers by name. Even though I didn’t mention any specific first/​last names, she was offended that I pointed them out. Immediately, her tone changed and she was extremely curt and discourteous. Later, when I asked where she did her training, it turns out that she got her training at those community clinics and university counseling center. (How was I to know that? And, did I know that telling her about my personal experience would offend her sensibilities? Isn’t she a trained therapist who is conditioned not to take anything anyone say personally or to look for reasons to be offended by?) I felt as though she was more concerned about the name value of those places where she rec’d her training, rather than appreciate my experience and the lesson I learned.
As though her only interest was herself. She will disagree with my observation and experience with her, I’m sure. She is extremely defensive, so I won’t be surprised if she’s defensive about this review. But heck, as a professional, you’re gonna be reviewed by the public. By the way, what did she say to me that was helpful other than «Look on Google» for a therapist? All of the «other stuff» she thinks she was so helpful about can be found on google anyway. So, what’s my beef with her? Her attitude. She acts as though she was damn helpful because she pointed me to the obvious. Google. It’s the self congratulatory, glib attitude that is a huge turn-​off.
I just want her to come to her senses and recognize that pointing to Google as a referral doesn’t make for a good reference, nor does it make her a helpful or caring professional whatsoever. And, repeatedly recommending that I go back to the community clinics where they behaved so unprofessionally makes no sense. What’s more, she got so angry because I called her on her rude and curt attitude. I know for a fact she was that way because I didn’t choose to go see her in person, and because I told her that her fee of $ 150 as an unlicensed professional was a bit steep. You know, Ms. Therapist, if you can’t take honest feedback, then you shouldn’t be in this profession or any profession. Seriously…
The reason I’m taking the time to share my experience here is because, as a pre-​licensed therapist, and a soon-​to-​be licensed therapist, who works with the public, especially people who are very vulnerable, I think she needs to always remain polite, calm, and not take things clients say (about THEIR experience) so very personally. Also, she should NOT look for things to be offended by. It’s not about the therapist. Never take anything anyone says personally. The world doesn’t revolve around you, Ms. Therapist.
So, after speaking with her for 15 minutes on the phone, it was very clear to me that I would not recommend her to anyone. Also, fyi, Rebecca, the reviewer of this therapist is another therapist. How convenient. Her name is Rebecca Ishida. You can google her. And, I don’t know about Sharon K. or Caroline F., but their comments sound awfully similar in style to Rebecca’s comments. Is that just a coincidence? You decide.

Gretchen is a wonderful and insightful therapist. She has an incredible ability to establish rapport and create a safe space for personal growth. She also works on a sliding scale which makes therapy affordable!

«Gretchen Mattox has an accessible style of communication. Her insights are valuable and on the mark. I really recommend her as a therapist!»