“You must never stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.”

— Mary Oliver

 
Therapist Meg Mattingly at Big Bend sitting on a rock

Hi There! I’m Meg

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Austin Texas. I received my masters degree at Seminary of the Southwest where I learned to integrate spirituality and nature into my work as a psychotherapist. My career before graduate school helped me grow my love of the outdoors and community engagement. My road has been winding and unexpected (Fun fact: I lived in a horse barn for a while!) and am grateful for all the experiences and relationships that have formed me into the therapist I am. Besides being a therapist, I am also a partner, parent/stepparent, sister, kickass aunt and friend.

I am pulled towards the natural world and find meaning everywhere and in everything. Give me a tree and I'll give you one hundred metaphors! Nature is constantly trying to teach us to slow down, to embrace the process, to accept the seasons and changes. I come back again and again to mother nature as my teacher. I am passionate about learning from others, storytelling, moving my body, and helping to create positive change. Learn more about my journey to becoming a therapist and my desire to integrate nature HERE.

Outside of work, you’ll find me playing with my kiddos, watching my backyard chickens, birding with my partner, and having long conversations with my beloved friends.

MY VALUES

I hold curiosity and growth as two of my main values. I am in a continual place of growth around understanding my own privileges and how to create more equitable systems. I continue to be curious about my blind spots and biases in order to strengthen my anti-racist work. I will continue to mess up, learn, grow, strengthen and repeat.

I celebrate and delight in our differences. I also acknowledge the limitations I have in understanding the struggles others can face based on gender identity, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, body size, socioeconomic status, and education. Willow Tree Collective is a sex positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed, climate aware, social justice practice focused on cultivating healing and connection.

I’m here and ready to get curious and grow with you!

Meg Mattingly sitting in a yellow chair in her therapy office.

Currently Connecting With

  • Podcasts

    Currently, I’m listening to Light up the Couch, Climate Change & Happiness, Maintenance Phase, and If Books Could Kill, to name a few.

  • Books

    While on maternity leave, I found myself reading whatever we had around the house. I just needed to consume something! On of my favorite things to do this summer to escape the heat, was to pack a lunch and take the whole family to the downtown library for the day.

  • Exploring

    This heat has made it so hard to enjoy being outside this summer! However, I did escape a few times to Jessica Hollis Park outside of Austin. The water is freezing, crystal clear, and a beautiful place to swim or kayak.