Jon Matthew

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR, MSW
(they / them)

In-Person & Virtual Sessions
Therapy for Women & LGBTQIA+ Individuals, 18+

I believe therapy should be a transformative and empowering experience. My goal is to create a safe, empathetic, and judgment-free space where clients can explore, heal, and grow. I use a compassionate, strengths-based approach to help you build resilience and create a life aligned with your values.

As a nonbinary person of South Asian descent, I am especially passionate about providing affirming mental health care to queer communities and people of color, as well as others who have been historically underserved. With over six years of experience supporting individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness and survivors of gender-based violence, I bring both clinical expertise and deep empathy to my work.

I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, religious trauma, or major life transitions. My therapeutic approach blends Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), always grounded in an anti-oppressive and client-centered framework.

Find Me on Psychology Today

  • Religious deconversion, racial discrimination, and LGBTQIA+ identity are all a part of my own story, and helping others navigate and heal through such experiences is one of my favorite parts of being a therapist.

    Working with people with personality disorders, autism, and ADHD is also important to me because there is so much stigma surrounding these disorders. Not everyone has access to testing either, so whether you've been formally diagnosed with one of these disorders, or suspect you may have one, I welcome you to explore that with me.

  • Trust that I will meet you wherever you're at. Whether you need to vent, cry, breathe, chat about your latest creative endeavor, sit in silence, or even whip out some tarot cards, we will figure it out together.

  • Compassionate, gentle, intuitive, and real.

  • Finding the right therapist can be a journey, and it would be an honor to be a part of yours. If you're feeling nervous or unsure that's ok! Whenever you're ready, I would love to meet you.

  • If you're someone who feels unseen, unheard, or misunderstood in other areas of your life and you're looking for a therapist who just "gets" you, then you're in the right place.

Areas of Focus

Top Specialties:

  • Anxiety

  • Borderline Personality (BPD)

  • Depression

  • LGBTQIA+ Support

  • Religious Deconversion

  • Religious Trauma

Areas of Expertise:

  • ADHD

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Borderline Personality (BPD)

  • Dual Diagnosis

  • EMDR

  • Family Conflict

  • Grief

  • Men's Issues

  • Mood Disorders

  • Personality Disorders

  • Racial Identity & Trauma

  • Relationship Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Self-Harming

  • Sex-Positive, Kink Allied

  • Stress

  • Substance Use

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Trauma and PTSD

Works With
Women & LGBTQIA+ individuals, 18+

Schedule
Monday (Late Morning-Evening)
Tuesday (Late Morning-Evening)
Wednesday (Late Morning-Evening)
Thursday (Late Morning-Evening)

In Network With
BCBS PPO
Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross
Cigna/Evernorth
United Healthcare/Optum

Education
Master in Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago

Personal Interests
I enjoy songwriting, listening to audiobooks, staying active, and going for walks with my dog, Kali.

Therapy with Jon

You're the expert on your own life and you have the right to build a life that you love. That journey looks different for everyone, so I will tailor my approach to fit your needs. My style is very gentle, but if I sense you could use a slight push, I'll ask permission first. I also welcome all of my clients to give me feedback so that you get what you need from me.

I tend to borrow ideas from Internal Family Systems (IFS) because it provides a useful framework for understanding how each of us is comprised of different parts with unique needs and experiences. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) also integrates well with my social justice oriented practice because there is so much about the world that is outside of our control, but we all still deserve to find meaning and joy in our lives.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you move beyond negative thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way by accepting that your thoughts and emotions are an appropriate response to certain situations and committing to making changes in your life that match your values.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy, specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. DBT is especially effective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

Schedule a Session or Consult

Interested in working together? Fill out the form, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.

Insurance or Self Pay

Learn more about using your insurance. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135 for a 50-53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help.

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