Mateo (he/him) grew up in New York and Connecticut frequently venturing to Vermont for family ski trips. Throughout his early childhood, he was happiest in Central Park and spending time with his friends at the New York Natural History Museum. He cultivated a fervent passion for the outdoors through camping, kayaking, skiing, and completing a NOLS semester in Patagonia. Expeditioning in Patagonia offered Mateo the opportunity to learn his leadership style and manage the emotional turbulence of uncertainty on a daily basis. It was this experience that planted the seed for him to explore the intersection of healing and the transformative powers of the natural world.

Earning his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Vermont, Mateo found his way to the mental health field working as a senior behavioral interventionist for Northwestern Counseling and Support Services in Saint Albans, Vermont. He worked with treatment plan teams to help students with developmental and behavioral needs thrive in classroom and community environments. Mateo found this work to be deeply rewarding as he witnessed students from a wide range of backgrounds build upon their prosocial skills and translate their abilities to becoming integrated, contributing members of their communities.  This led him to seek his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from St. Michaels College.

During his graduate work, Mateo has honed his therapy skills as a part of Middlebury College’s counseling department. He incorporated psychodynamic and humanistic theories and techniques to support College students on their journeys to find balance, heal attachment wounds, and navigate complex interpersonal dilemmas. Relationally oriented, Mateo has found his place at True North meeting students where they are and supporting them in harnessing their innate ability to explore their true selves.

In his free time, Mateo can be found spending time with his wife and 2-year-old daughter playing in the woods, kayaking with friends, watching soccer games, and making massive turns at Sugarbush.