Judy Matthews
Psychologist
Judy MatthewsPhD
PhD, United States international University, 1984
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Meet Judy
Judy Matthews is a therapist who specializes in working with older adults, valuing the unique perspectives, experiences, and wisdom they bring to therapy. She emphasizes the benefits and importance of online therapy for older adults, as it provides convenience and a sense of safety, especially for those with medical conditions.
Judy's therapeutic approach is client-centered, focusing on relationship-building, understanding each client's issues and strengths, and identifying common ground. She primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and relaxation techniques to help clients reframe unhelpful thoughts and address emotional and behavioral challenges. Her path to psychology began with a career in teaching, first in general education, then in special education, and finally becoming a School Psychologist.
She ultimately became a psychologist in her 40s, inspired by the desire to help students and parents more directly. Judy encourages clients to be patient with themselves, recognizing that real change takes time. She believes therapy is effective for reducing anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and supporting clients through various life changes and challenges.
Older adults bring a lot history, experience and wisdom to the sessions no mater what their problems are.
Q&A with Judy
Getting to know Judy
What do you enjoy most about working with older adults?
Older adults bring a lot history, experience and wisdom to the sessions no mater what their problems are. This helps them change their perspective and learn new things while entering a new life stage.
Why does online therapy work well for older adults?
Online therapy is important and effective for older adults as it allows them to remain at home where they feel safe, especially if they have medical problems. They do not have to drive or use transportation to access services.
How do you approach therapy sessions?
I work of getting to know my client, their issues and strengths. I work on building a relationship and identifying things in common.
I use Cognitive Behavioral techniques which allows an individual to assess their thoughts for accuracy and if they are inaccurate they can be re-framed. It is thought in CBT that what you think and tell yourself controls your emotions and behavior. I also use Solution Focused therapy and relaxation techniques.
What inspired you to become a therapist?
My inspiration developed over the years. After graduating from high school I went to college to become a teacher. At that time I didn't know it was even a possibility to become a psychologist. I was a teacher in the Chicago public schools and had 40 children in my class, ten of which could not read.
All of a sudden Special Education came on the scene and I became a Special Ed teacher to help the learning impaired students. With a smaller classrom I could become closer to them, listen to their problems, fears and self esteem issues. It was very rewarding. I then became a School Psychologist to help more children and their parents.
Eventually, I saw it possible to become a psychologist and enter that field when I was about 40 years old.
What is your advice for someone starting therapy for the first time?
Relax and be patient. It takes time to make changes in one's life.
What do you wish people knew about therapy?
That most of the time therapy works. It can help reduce anxiety, depression and symptoms of PTSD. Also it can provide support for life changes, problems and relationship issues.
Relax and be patient. It takes time to make changes in one's life.
I love animals and have many in the past. Also I love to travel and have a vacation home in Mexico.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Choose a topic. Can’t find your answer? Call our care team at 1-800-567-LIFE.
About Total Life
Who is the service for?
Our service is tailored for seniors looking to navigate the challenges of aging and aiming to make their golden years, golden.
What is the core purpose of your teletherapy service?
Our core purpose is to help as many seniors as possible access the mental health care they need, irrespective of their insurance coverage. We believe everyone deserves quality mental health care.
How is your service tailored to seniors?
Our platform is easy to use, with straightforward steps to connect you with a therapist. Additionally, our care team is always ready to assist you from start to finish.
How can teletherapy help me feel like the best version of myself?
Teletherapy provides a supportive environment to explore and address concerns, helping you work through challenges and promoting mental well-being.
How is your service different from conventional therapy?
Unlike conventional therapy, we provide access to therapy through Original Medicare coverage. Our care team facilitates a smooth process from the initial call all the way through ongoing care.
Insurance & coverage
Are your teletherapy services covered by Original Medicare?
Yes, our services are accessible through Original Medicare coverage, making mental health care more accessible for seniors.
Do you accept insurance plans other than Original Medicare?
Yes, we accept select Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Please contact our care team to verify if your specific plan is accepted.
How do I pay for my sessions?
Payment can be made through various methods including Original Medicare coverage. Our care team can provide more detailed information based on your specific situation.
Is there a limit to the number of sessions I can have?
Original Medicare has an uncapped session limit; the number of sessions will be determined based on your individual needs and treatment plan.
What is a Superbill and how can it benefit me?
A Superbill is an itemized form that details the services you have received from us. It provides all the information needed to submit a claim to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement.
If I have out-of-network benefits, how does the reimbursement process work?
If you have out-of-network benefits, you can submit the Superbill we provide to your insurance company for reimbursement. The reimbursement rate and process depend on your plan.
How do I obtain a Superbill for my sessions?
After each session, we can provide you with a Superbill. Our care team will assist you in generating a Superbill for your records.
Therapists & sessions
How experienced are your providers in working with older adults?
Our providers are hired specifically for their experience with older adults. They are trained and equipped to understand and address the unique mental health needs of seniors.
Can I choose my therapist?
We make every effort to match you with a therapist who has the right experience and expertise for your needs. If you have a preference, we’ll do our best to accommodate it.
What if I don’t feel a connection with my therapist?
It’s important to have a good rapport with your therapist. If for any reason you wish to change therapists, just let us know and we’ll facilitate a switch.
How is progress measured in teletherapy?
Progress is measured through regular reviews and discussions between you and your therapist, ensuring that the therapy is effective and meeting your needs.
Getting started
How quickly can I start with my therapy sessions?
Our care team is dedicated to facilitating a quick and easy process from your first phone call to setting up a therapy session on the same call.
How do I schedule a teletherapy session?
Scheduling a session is simple. Just give us a call at 1-800-567-LIFE and our care team will assist you in setting up a session on the first call itself.
Do I need any special equipment for teletherapy?
All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone, and a reliable internet connection. Phone-only sessions are also available.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
We have a flexible cancellation and rescheduling policy. Just contact our care team and they will assist you with the necessary changes.