Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebeca Mata.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey has been a long but rewarding one! It took me many years to decide to become a business owner but I finally went for it! For as long as I could remember, I was always interested in helping others. Since elementary school, I remember being the first in line to help prepare meals for homeless shelters, volunteer to adopt families for Christmas, prepare Thanksgiving meals for less fortunate families, and even offer my own lunch to other kids who did not bring anything to eat.
That’s pretty much where it all began: My innate desire to want to help people navigate through life. I decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by a graduate degree in counseling. My first job was at Denton County MHMR Center, working with dual diagnosed individuals who were victims of complex trauma. During my employment at MHMR, I realized that I wanted to continue my focus on trauma- more specifically, child abuse. I was hired at the Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County (CACDC), where I spent the majority of my years as a bilingual licensed professional counselor before becoming their Assistant Clinical Director and later the Clinical Director. Throughout my years there, I became a fact/expert witness providing testimony in child sexual abuse criminal cases. I quickly became a strong advocate for young children whose voice and dignity had been robbed from them.
During my time at CACDC, I created and implemented an Animal Assisted Therapy Program and got two of my dogs, Derek and Diego, certified as therapy dogs. That’s where my passion for Animal Assisted Therapy began to grow. For the next several years to come, I became an equine and animal-assisted counselor contracting with counseling centers located on farms. This innovative type of therapy became my calling. I was able to put the two things I love most in one: Helping people and animals! I continued my work with survivors of severe sexual and/or physical abuse and was able to introduce them to the healing power of horses, dogs, and other farm animals! As time went by, I decided that it was time to finally be on my own- have my own counseling practice! In 2019, I adopted a beagle named Destiny; little did I know, she was to soon to be my business partner!
In February of 2020, I created Mata Counseling Services, professional counseling and animal assisted therapy practice in Flower Mound, TX, specifically designed to work with survivors of trauma. Destiny has become popular and loved by many. More importantly, she plays a vital role in the healing process for many children and adults. In addition to professional counseling, I have continued my work as a fact/expert witness in criminal and civil court and take pride in being an advocate and a voice for children who need to be heard loud and clear! I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of so many people’s personal lives. They trust me. They trust Destiny. That says a lot about them and their resilience!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has not always been smooth. At times, my insecurities would creep up on me and hinder the process of opening up my own counseling practice. I had to set those insecurities aside and remind myself of my strengths and experience. I have been in the mental health field for 17 years now! I had to tell myself, “Rebeca, it’s time now. If not now, then when? Just do it! Everything will fall into place. It always does.” I am fortunate to have a strong support system consisting of family and colleagues who encouraged me and believed in me. That helped a whole lot!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mata Counseling Services?
Mata Counseling Services is a professional counseling business that offers support and guidance to all individuals who are struggling with life, but more specifically, individuals who have suffered trauma. I am most proud of being able to offer various evidenced-based practices and therapies that I am certified and/or trained in, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Play/Activity Therapy, and of course Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) with the very own, Destiny Mata.
What’s next?
At this time, I am hoping to grow Mata Counseling Services by contracting with a couple of licensed professional counselors who share the same passion as I do and who are well versed in court testimony.
Contact Info:
- Email: matacounselingservices@gmail.com
- Website: www.matacounselingservices.com
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/253892
