Get to Know Me

As Your Therapist

Hey! I’m Mia Mattingly, LPC-Associate. I love my job, and I’d probably love to be your therapist.

I’ve been called many things by my clients — “The Therapy Wizard,” sorceress, Jedi Master, Jiminy Cricket — every person comes to therapy with a different need, and from that, we form a different relationship. Though I will wear many hats during our time together, there are a few things that will remain consistent: warmth, humor, and directness. I work hard to connect with my clients, to help them feel seen and understood, and create the trust and safety needed for the work we’re doing.

My Background

I’m an LPC-Associate based in Austin, Texas under the supervision of Lauren Masciarelli, LPC-S, LMFT-S. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Edward’s University in 2023.

During my master’s program and after being licensed, I worked at Austin Family Institute, a non-profit that prioritizes training their clinicians in systemic practice — looking as clients as part of a much larger whole that spans time, generations, cultures, and identities. After leaving Austin Family Institute, I spent time at Austin Family Counseling, where I honed my passion for working with neurodivergence, specifically ADHD in girls/women and late diagnosis, as well as neurodiverse couples, LGTBQIA+ identities, and complex trauma. During this time I trained in EMDR to provide better, more targeted care for certain clients. Currently, I most utilize interpersonal neurobiology, symbolic experiential family therapy, IFS, and narrative approaches in my work with clients.

As a Human

I’m a nerd! A huge nerd, and an introvert. I grew up on anime, Star Trek, and Kingdom Hearts. I would rather be reading or playing video games than most other hobbies. If I’m going out, I’m going to eat. If you want to talk about Shakespeare, Victorian literature, or romance novels, I’m your girl. If you want to talk about indie video games like Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, or Cult of the Lamb, I’m your girl. I also love music, playing piano, crafts, baking, and spending time with my animals.

Tell Me About You!

Mia Mattingly is a brunette woman with brown eyes. She is the owner of Teahouse Counseling and and LPC-Associate

The Story Behind the Name:

When I was an undergraduate, I had a professor who taught creative writing courses — but only at 8am. An early morning class is a hard ask for undergrads, even if their 2am bedtime the night before was self-inflicted. Because she knew that 8am hour would make us uncomfortable, she set up a tea station in her room. It was a little mini fridge stocked with milk and creamer; a cloth spread on top that housed a selection of teas, instant coffees, sweeteners, and spoons. Each morning, about a dozen of us would trudge in with a mug in hand, prepare our beverage of choice, and come alive a little bit with each sip.

While some of the memories I made in that room have faded with time, I never forgot how grateful I felt towards her for acknowledging our discomfort and offering something to make showing up just a little bit easier. The kindness, compassion, and care housed within that gesture meant the world to me. It still does, because it gave me the model for how I conduct therapy.

Therapy is often hard and uncomfortable. It’s vulnerable. And there are times I know my clients don’t want to be there. It’s important to me that I offer something — words, gestures, a smile, a laugh, or even a cup of tea — to tell them that I know it’s hard. I know it’s uncomfortable. And I know they’re enduring that discomfort for a reason. The time we spend together can absolutely be meaningful and transformative, and I’m here to help make it just a bit easier, like someone else did for me.