Matthew Marder, LCSW

07/12/2025

Summer is in full swing, and that is the perfect time to prioritize self-care. Be kind to yourself and seek out a mental health tune-up this summer. Contact me now for support!

06/28/2025

06/23/2025

I am available to provide support and supervision to all individuals, with a particular focus on behavioral health professionals seeking guidance. Please feel free to reach out if you are interested! 😀🤝

06/19/2025

Today marks the anniversary of the effective end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger issued the order enforcing the emancipation of enslaved individuals in Texas, following the conclusion of the Civil War. Let us take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom and equality, and to continue fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all.

06/16/2025

It’s okay to:
✅ Feel insecure
✅ Ask for help
✅ Cry
✅ Be vulnerable

Men deserve the full range of human emotions — and the support to navigate them.

Find help and support here: nami.org/menshealthmonth

06/16/2025

Wishing all fathers, grandfathers, and those who embody paternal love a ☮️ful day, filled with joy and appreciation for their remarkable contributions.

06/04/2025

06/04/2025

A father looked into his son's eyes with deep pride and heartfelt emotion. “You graduated with honors,” he said softly, his voice trembling with love and hope. “Here is something special—my beloved VW Beetle that I bought many years ago. It’s over fifty years old, a symbol of memories and journeys. But before I give it to you, I want you to understand its worth. Take it to a dealership downtown and find out what they would offer for it.”

The son, filled with anticipation and curiosity, went to the dealership. He returned with a humble smile, saying, “They offered me $10,000 because it looks very used.” The father's eyes shimmered with quiet understanding. “Take it to a pawn shop,” he gently instructed.

The son, a bit disappointed but still hopeful, went to the pawn shop. When he came back, he said, “They offered me only $1,000 because it’s too old.” A moment of silence lingered as the father’s heart swelled with emotion.

Finally, the father beckoned his son to take the car to a classic car club and share its story. The son obeyed, and after returning, he said, with a glow of excitement, “Some people at the club offered me $100,000! They say it’s a rare gem, highly sought after among the enthusiasts.”

The father looked at his son with a deep, compassionate smile. “My dear one,” he whispered, “I wanted you to understand one powerful truth—that the right place recognizes your true value and appreciates you for who you are. If they don’t see your worth, don’t be hurt or angry. It simply means you’re in the wrong place. The ones who truly see your worth are the ones who cherish and celebrate your greatness. Never stay where you’re undervalued or unseen. Your true value isn’t determined by the world around you, but by those who truly recognize and honor it. Always seek where you are appreciated for the extraordinary person you are, because you are priceless.”

06/01/2025

As June begins, we're called to come together and celebrate the incredible richness that le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender and q***r culture and community bring, embracing the diversity of every individual and fostering a safe and inclusive space where everyone can thrive. Happy Pride!

05/26/2025

Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!

05/26/2025

May your Memorial Day be filled with reflection and hope, as we honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and security, inspiring generations to come.

05/25/2025

In Twenty Years, it Won’t Matter if they were the Best on the Team—
if they were the fastest on the field, or if they had the most impressive stats.

It won't matter if they were recognized for their accomplishments or if they ever received the title of "MVP".

It won't matter if their travel team was the best in the league, or if other coaches ever pointed them out and said, "Keep an eye on that kid."

It won't matter if they started every game or scored the game-winning run.

Don't get me wrong, I'm my kids' biggest fan.

I LOVE watching them in all of their activities. I'm proud and honored to get to do so. And yes, we're a family who likes to win (and that’s more than okay, by the way).

But sometimes, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that so much of this sports-parent season is temporary. We get caught up in the competitiveness of wanting our kid to be the best, when really it's kind of insignificant in the bigger picture of their lives.

In twenty years, the things that WILL matter are the other skills our kids are learning during their time playing youth sports.

The skills they'll only learn if we put our parent egos aside and have fewer conversations about stats and more conversations about things like—

Kindness.
Humility.
Hard work.
Being a team player.
Supporting their peers.
Grit.
Being a good sport even when things don't go their way.

Right now, sports are such a big part of our world.

From the outside it seems like our kids are working on things like proper technique and fundamentals of the game—and that's part of it, sure.

But really, this is an even bigger chance for them to learn lessons about life.

And when they've hung up their cleats for the very last time, I hope to walk into the next season of life knowing we haven't just raised accomplished athletes, we've raised incredible humans.

© Casey Huff