Local StoriesDecember 27, 2023

Inspiring Conversations with Cindy Matula of Ellie Mental Health – Central NW Austin

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Matula.

Cindy Matula

Hi Cindy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I wrote This “Why Ellie” story for Ellie Mental Health franchisee approval.

Cindy M. Matula – Austin, Texas
Background for Business Ownership

I am a former financial industry executive who helped and led Banking teams that helped high-growth organizations identify risk and transformation opportunities over my thirty-three-year banking
career. Most recently, I was the functional CEO of a $100 million business unit for JPMorgan Chase middle market banking and specialized industries for the Central Texas region; I led teams in the major markets of Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso and had responsibility for assessing and managing the business and reputational risk of a $1.2B loan asset portfolio. I retired in March 2021 to launch Cindy 2.0; plans for this second chapter include private investing, corporate board service, and business ownership. The goal of being a business owner stems from my career as a Banker and leading teams where we had the good fortune of working with hundreds of successful companies. I am equipped to own a successful company by leveraging three decades of experience in the corporate world, which produced a solid foundation in the following areas: high business acumen, 360-degree risk analysis, human capital development, and long-term relationships within the Austin business community.

“My Ellie Why”

Like the pride I felt for 33 years working for a first-class business (A founding partner of the firm once said, “I should state that at all times the idea of doing only first-class business, and that in a first-class way, has been before our minds.”), I want to have pride in business ownership, and Ellie Mental Health provides this by being a first-class business.
Investing in Ellie, where the’ business infrastructure’ is what the investment funds align with my core competencies gained from three decades of business experience.
My investment in Ellie allows professional therapists to spend more client-facing time doing what they love and are passionate about.
My investment allows professional therapists to leverage their core competencies with increased client-facing time, which translates into financial fulfillment.
Taking care of mental health is just as important as physical health – my investment in Ellie will increase the supply of therapy hours and benefit the community I love.
In the current environment with continued pandemic concerns, social pressures, etc., the availability of therapy services is more important now than ever.
I spent my career in financial services as a trusted advisor to companies and colleagues; thus, continuing in the service business through mental health services feels natural and rewarding.
From my experience in a regulated banking industry, I understand the importance of compliance with rules and regulations; this understanding will benefit my investment in Ellie Mental Health, especially in Texas, a corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) state.

Ellie’s Core Values: creativity, authenticity, humor, compassion, acceptance, and determination; each core value resonates with me – I am a creative person; one doesn’t have a degree in Fashion Design without creativity in their DNA. I am authentic – never shy away from letting folks know I grew up on a farm; humor gets me through each day; lesson from my late Father ‘regardless of how little or much we have, there will always be a lot more people who have less so be a giving person in all aspects of life”; I have always been accepted. Thus, I provide it in return; being number six out of seven children, determination has become an innate trait.

Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, there have been challenges with Ellie Mental Health-Central NW Austin related to factors unique to the Austin market (high cost of living, hiring a challenge), Texas (a state with some of the lowest reimbursement rates), and issues/delays with Ellie Corp (due to high growth and start-up franchisor).

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us more about your business next.
Ellie Mental Health in Central NW Austin, Texas, isn’t your average outpatient therapy clinic. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs.

Mental Health Therapy Services at Ellie Mental Health-Central NW Austin:

Individual Therapy
Work one-on-one with a therapist who will provide you with mental health care individualized to your needs. Whether you are seeking treatment for a mental illness, support for a recent life change, or help in a specific area of your life, individual therapy is just between you and your therapist.
Couples Therapy
Attend therapy sessions with your partner – whether you’re dating, engaged, or married. Couples therapy is a safe place to talk through relationship issues with a counselor you can trust, get help navigating a divorce, or build a strong foundation for the future.
Family Therapy
Work through family conflict with a therapist who can facilitate the conversation, work through harmful patterns, and improve communication skills. Family therapy is a group effort – bring your partner, the kids, the in-laws, stepchildren, your siblings, or anyone else involved with your family dynamic.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Work through unresolved trauma and identify the areas of your life that trauma has impacted. Trauma-informed therapy means working with a therapist who has a deep understanding of the many ways trauma can affect your life and your overall sense of self, safety, and well-being.
Grief Therapy
Loss and grief can be immobilizing. You might not know how to move forward or what comes next. Grief therapy provides you with professional support as you work through loss, process any trauma, and navigate the next steps.
Group Therapy – The Gottman Sound Relationship
18 years of age + Who: Couples interested in up-leveling their relationship with their significant other.
Online Therapy
Attend therapy from the comfort and convenience of your home or wherever you have an internet connection. With online therapy, you get deep with your therapist while sipping tea in your favorite comfy chair snuggled in your pajamas, or between work meetings.
Conditions & Specialities
We provide support for a wide range of mental disorders and common mental health issues at our Ellie Mental Health Clinic in Central NW Austin. No matter your concerns, your compassionate Ellie therapist will provide you with the non-judgmental care you deserve.

Anxiety Disorders:
– Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
– Bipolar Disorder
– Depression
– Borderline Personality Disorder
– Narcissistic Personality Disorder
– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
– Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
– Social Anxiety
– Panic Disorders
– Self-Harm
– Suicidal Thoughts
– Postpartum Depression
– Relationship Counseling
– Divorce
– Bereavement & Loss
– Trauma
– Stress
– Burnout
– Self-Esteem
– Anger Management
– LGBTQ Therapy

Ellie Match
Get matched with the perfect therapist for your needs. Are you still trying to figure out what to look for in a therapist? Establishing a strong relationship with your therapist is important to getting the care you deserve. That’s why we don’t leave it up to chance at Ellie Mental Health.

When you call us, our Client Access Specialists will get to know your preferences, schedule, and therapy needs. From there, we’ll match you with a therapist who’s the perfect fit and schedule your first appointment immediately. Important headlines for our clinic: no waitlist/accepting new clients (in-person and online), in-network with most insurance, and sessions available in Spanish.

We’d love to hear about your fond memories from growing up.
Choosing just one is difficult: Climbing trees or swinging on a grapevine swing. I played school, made mudpies, and dug tunnels for small cars and tractors with my cousin, Marsha. I was riding horses. I played all the sports at my small Catholic school from 1st to 12th grade.

Contact Info:

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