Meet Matthew

I am a relational therapist and believe a full life comes from learning how to have mutually-enriching relationships with others. I practice from an integrative approach with groundings in psychodynamic theory. I also integrate mindfulness and somatic techniques, because sometimes words are not enough. I work with adults across the lifespan who struggle with a variety of challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss, and substance use. I have expertise in working with individuals from the LGBTQ community. I am also well-versed in the requirements for surgical letters of readiness. My training as a social worker means that I approach my work from a lens of anti-oppression and am committed to helping people navigate broken and traumatizing systems and structures.

In addition to my private practice, I have held appointments at the University of Chicago’s Crown School of Social Work and Rush University’s College of Health Sciences, where I have taught graduate-level coursework on mental health and aging. I have written extensively on the integration of social work into health care as a means to promote health equity and reduce health disparities.

As a previous coordinator for the Center for Health and Social Care Integration, I trained community-based organizations across the country on how to integrate social services into outpatient medical settings. I am the previous Manager of Social Work Services for Affirm: the Rush Center for Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health. In this role, I helped to build out a one-of-a-kind, integrated health care program for LGBTQ patients. I am an advocate for reduced barriers to care for Trans and Non-Binary people and lead workshops on taking a harm reduction approach to surgical letters of readiness. I am currently co-chair for the Chicago Network for LGBT Aging. I look forward to partnering with you on your journey! To reach Matthew directly, email mvail@salixpsychotherapy.com or click the link below.