Matthew William Carlson, LPC, LMHC

Founder | Trauma Therapist | Resilience Coach
(aka Willy Bearden)

​

I’m a retired firefighter, licensed trauma counselor, and someone who knows firsthand what it means to live with PTSD—and fight like hell to reclaim your life.

​

I founded Challenger Point Practice after years in the fire service, crisis response, and police mental health work. I watched too many good people burn out, shut down, or disappear. So I built something different—a place where recovery is raw, embodied, and mission-driven.

​

I’ve worked with thousands of first responders, veterans, and survivors of extreme trauma. I’ve lived through depression, addiction, divorce, faith unraveling, suicidal lows, and seasons where I had sixteen cents to my name. But I’ve also come out the other side—and I’ve turned that journey into a system that others can use to climb.

​

This practice, our nonprofit work, and the media we create under Willy Bearden all come from that same core: resilience through truth, trauma-informed action, and a body-first approach to recovery.

​

Licensed in:

• Colorado (LPC)

• Texas (LPC)

• Florida (LMHC)

• Hawai'i (pending)

Specialties:

• The CLIMB Protocol (trauma-informed reset system)

• PTSD and moral injury

• First responder and veteran resilience systems

• ESA/PSD certification and disability documentation

• Long-term trauma recovery and advocacy

• Suicide prevention and nervous system regulation

​

Brittany Carlson

Clinic Manager | Executive Assistant | Grounding Force

Brittany is the calm in the storm and the engine behind Challenger Point. She manages scheduling, billing, insurance coordination, paperwork, and all client communications with empathy, clarity, and a whole lot of patience.

She’s also my wife, my co-builder, and the steady heart of this practice.

​

Brittany brings her own lived experience with trauma and recovery to this work. She sees people clearly—and makes sure every client feels welcome, seen, and supported from the very first contact. If you’re navigating VA forms, scheduling sessions, following up on ESA letters, or just unsure where to start—she’s your guide.

​

Why We Do This

Because trauma recovery should feel human—not clinical, cold, or one-size-fits-all. We’re not here to fix you. We’re here to walk beside you while you heal.

​

Challenger Point exists because we didn’t want to just talk about mental health—we wanted to build a culture that lives it. Through therapy, training, peer support, media, and nonprofit outreach, we’re helping first responders, veterans, and trauma survivors reset their nervous systems and reclaim their lives.

​

If you're ready to start healing, we’re ready to walk with you.

📧 matthew@challenger-point.com

​