Finding Solutions...Restoring Hope
Phone: (319) 361-6529
Matthew Vasquez, LMSW
About Matthew
Matthew started his career in social work at the age of 14. While growing up in southern California, he worked and volunteered in various shelters, human service agencies and non-profit organizations. After graduating from college, he worked as a youth counselor in childhood residential treatment facilities, inpatient psychiatric care centers, and at the Iowa City VA medial Center as a mental health and substance abuse counselor.
He has completed a Masters degree in social work and is currently working toward his doctorate in social work. His areas of concentration are child welfare, childhood mental health disorders, cultural competency, and issues related to poverty. He has a dual appointment as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Iowa and works part-time at the GCMAC as a therapist.
Training and Experience
Matthew has experience working with children in the areas of childhood trauma, mental
illness, reactive attachment disorders (RAD), separation anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
He also has additional experience working with adults and veterans in regards
to substance abuse/dependency disorders, dual-diagnoses, PTSD, childhood trauma,
depression, dual-diagnosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders.
He is trained in
Theraplay ® play therapy techniques and basic non-directive play therapy and
Sand Tray techniques. He has also completed EMDR level 1 (with level II completion expected in February, 2012). He is an active researcher of brain-based neuroscience
treatments for trauma and employs a variety of healing methods for trauma such
as mindfulness thinking, relaxation methods, and guided visualization.
Matthew has
extensive experience working diverse people groups and is a strong advocate for
effective culturally competent therapeutic practice. Matthew’s clinical skills
are exceptional, and his ability to work with individuals and families in a
meaningful way is evident in the amount of progress his patients make.
Education
Ph.D - Social Work, University of Iowa (In progress)
MSW - Social Work, University of Iowa
B.A - Religion, Bowdoin College
License and Certifications
Matthew is a Licensed Master Social Worker (#007544)
EMDR - (Level I).
Availability
Matthew is accepting new clients at this time. Openings include:
early afternoon in Marengo and Cedar Rapids office locations. Due to being student full time, Matthew cannot see clients outside of these days.
