Welcome! 

Hello, my name is Carlin Matejka! I am passionate about building meaningful relationships and creating a safe, supportive space where individuals and families feel heard, understood, and empowered. As a therapist and a parent myself, I understand how important it is for children to feel safe and supported and for parents to feel included, understood, and supported along the way. I believe therapy works best when we approach it as a team, building on the strengths each person and family already brings.

Much of my clinical experience has been working with children, adolescents, and families in community-based mental health settings. Through my work providing intensive home-based services, I have had the opportunity to support children and families in their homes, schools, and communities. I have worked alongside parents and caregivers to navigate trauma, emotional and behavioral challenges, difficult family dynamics, and the everyday stressors that can impact a child's well-being. I value meeting families where they are and recognizing that meaningful change happens not only in the therapy room, but also in the everyday moments and relationships that make up family life.

My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing from somatic interventions, attachment-based approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and play-based interventions. I love bringing creativity, playfulness, and collaboration into my work with children, while also helping parents and caregivers develop practical tools to support their children outside of sessions. I believe in helping children feel understood and empowered while strengthening the relationships and connections that help families thrive.

I also have a strong interest in understanding how trauma impacts the brain, body, and relationships. I enjoy sharing this information with clients and families because understanding the "why" behind our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be an important part of healing. I want clients to recognize their strengths, develop new ways of navigating challenges, and feel hopeful about the possibility of change.

Whether I am working with a child, a parent, an individual, or an entire family, my goal is to create a collaborative space where we can identify what is working, explore what feels challenging, and find approaches that best meet your unique needs. I look forward to getting to know you and working together!

-Carlin Matejka

Education and Training

Carlin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2021. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2024.

Carlin is registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW 123506) and is supervised by Shannon Cantillano, LCSW 28917.

Her clinical experience includes providing outpatient psychotherapy and intensive home-based services to children, adolescents, and families experiencing trauma-related symptoms. She has also worked with veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals navigating complex mental health challenges.

Carlin has completed additional training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. Her clinical approach also incorporates somatic strategies, play therapy, Theraplay-informed interventions, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy.

Insurance and Fees

Carlin's fee per session is $150. She is able to bill CenCal, Aetna and Blue Shield directly for services under Inner Expansions Therapy Services. For all other insurance companies Inner Expansions can provide a Statement For Insurance Reimbursement (commonly called a "superbill") for you to request reimbursement from your health insurance plan.

Insurance plans typically require therapy to be medically necessary for the treatment of a diagnosable mental health condition for one identified client. Because couples counseling focuses on the relationship between partners rather than treating a single individual diagnosis, it is generally not eligible for insurance reimbursement. For this reason, couples counseling sessions are typically self-pay.

Email:

carlin@innerexpansions.com

Request an appointment or a complimentary consultation with Carlin!