Matthew William Carlson, LPC, LMHC

Founder, Trauma Therapist, and Resilience Coach
(aka Willy Bearden)

I’m a retired firefighter, a licensed trauma counselor, and someone who knows what it’s like to live with PTSD—and fight like hell to recover.

I started Challenger Point Practice after years in the fire service, crisis response, and police mental health—watching too many good people burn out, shut down, or disappear. I’ve worked with thousands of first responders, veterans, and survivors of extreme trauma. I’ve seen how the right kind of support—real, raw, and trauma-informed—can save lives and bring people back to themselves.

I’ve lived with depression since childhood. I’ve walked through addiction, divorce, faith crises, suicidal thoughts, and nights with sixteen cents to my name. But I’ve also built something from the ashes. This practice, my nonprofit, and the media work I do as Willy Bearden are all pieces of that comeback story.

I’m licensed in Colorado, Texas, and Florida, and my specialties include:

• PTSD and moral injury

• First responder and veteran mental health

• Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) approvals

• Disability advocacy and long-term trauma care

• Suicide prevention and nervous system regulation

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Brittany Carlson

Clinic Manager & Executive Assistant

Brittany is the calm in the storm—and the engine behind the scenes. She manages our scheduling, follow-ups, billing, insurance coordination, and client communications with both kindness and precision.

She also happens to be my wife, my business partner, and the one who keeps me grounded. Brittany brings deep empathy and lived experience of trauma and recovery. She's the reason our clients feel seen and supported from day one.

If you’re scheduling a session, asking about paperwork, or navigating the VA process—she’s your go-to.

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Why We Do This

We believe trauma-informed care should feel human—not clinical, not cold, and not one-size-fits-all. We're not here to fix you. We're here to walk with you while you heal.

This practice exists because we didn’t want to just talk about mental health—we wanted to do something about it. Through therapy, workshops, advocacy, and storytelling, we’re rebuilding the culture of healing for first responders, veterans, and trauma survivors.

If you're ready to start healing, we're ready to walk with you.
Reach out today to schedule your first session, ask a question, or just say hello. We’re here—and we’ve got your six.