Dr. Matsakis is an internationally recognized trauma specialist in areas such as post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders, clinical depression, and addiction and related issues and their impact on relationships and the family. She has authored twelve books self-help books for clients and therapists; two professional textbooks; three book chapters; and a book on the Greek-American experience.
Dr. Matsakis has over thirty years’ experience counseling individuals, couples, and families, and six years’ experience teaching at the university level. She has conducted trauma-processing, pain-management, anger-management, self-esteem, and guilt-processing groups and has presented seminars on these and other topics nationally and internationally to both professional and lay audiences. Following the bombing in Oklahoma City, she was called upon to assist survivors and professionals. She has also presented at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day and at national conferences on sexual assault and anxiety management.
She has testified on traumatic and stress reactions, addiction, mood disorders, and issues pertaining to racial discrimination.
Dr. Matsakis received a BA in History from Washington University in St. Louis, an MA in Secondary Education from Stanford University, and an MA and PhD. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland.