Practical Mental Health Counseling Individuals, Couples & First Responders
Counseling that combines
clinical experience with a practical understanding
Licensure
About Dr. Matthew J. Stiehm
Professional Biography
Dr. Matt Stiehm is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor whose professional background combines mental health, law enforcement, corrections, criminal justice, higher education, professional training, and forensic consultation.
His clinical work includes counseling individuals, couples, adolescents, and first responders, as well as individuals involved with probation, parole, and other areas of the criminal justice system. His professional experience also includes work with complex behavioral-health presentations and clients experiencing significant psychological and emotional challenges.
Professional Philosophy
Dr. Stiehm's professional approach is grounded in careful assessment, practical problem-solving, continued education, and an effort to understand the circumstances surrounding each client or case.
Whether working with a therapy client, attorney, law-enforcement professional, agency, or other organization, he approaches each engagement based on the available information, the specific circumstances, and the applicable professional standards.
Education
Dr. Stiehm holds an Educational Doctorate from Argosy University, where his research focused on campus safety, security, and the perceptions of safety among employees and faculty in higher-education environments.
He also holds a Master's degree in Psychological Services and Counseling from Saint Mary's University, a Master's degree in Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University, and a Bachelor's degree from Wayne State College in Nebraska.
During his graduate clinical training, Dr. Stiehm completed an internship in a residential treatment setting serving adolescents with significant behavioral-health needs.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Stiehm has worked in outpatient behavioral health and provides individual, couples, and specialized counseling services. His clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, relationships, first-responder mental health, and complex behavioral-health concerns.
His work with first responders is informed by his own professional background in law enforcement and criminal justice.
Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Experience
Dr. Stiehm has more than two decades of professional experience across law enforcement, corrections, juvenile corrections, private security, investigations, loss prevention, higher education, and criminal justice.
He has served as a commissioned police officer in California, Minnesota, and Nebraska and retired from the Clearbrook Police Department in Minnesota in July 2024.
Earlier in his career, he also worked in corrections, juvenile corrections, private security, private investigation, and related public-safety roles.
Law Enforcement Education & Training
Dr. Stiehm previously served as a law-enforcement program education coordinator at a Minnesota professional peace officer education provider. In that role, he was involved in curriculum development, faculty and student recruitment and retention, professional training, accreditation, and continuing education.
He has instructed law-enforcement personnel and other professionals on topics including peace officer rights, child abuse, use of force, leadership, interviewing, and other areas of professional development.
He has also presented before the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board on law-enforcement training and accreditation matters.
Police Practices & Forensic Consultation
Dr. Stiehm provides police-practices consultation and litigation support involving use of force, officer decision-making, training, supervision, policy and procedure, investigations, and other law-enforcement practices.
His work may include review of police reports, body-worn camera recordings, policies, training records, investigative materials, medical documentation, and other evidence relevant to a case.
He has provided consultation and expert services in matters involving law enforcement and use of force in multiple jurisdictions.
Research, Publications & Speaking
Dr. Stiehm has conducted research and presented on topics involving law enforcement, campus safety, first-responder mental health, anxiety, trauma, moral injury, use of force, and other criminal-justice issues.
His professional writing and commentary have appeared in law-enforcement and criminal-justice publications, and he has participated in professional conferences, webinars, and other educational programs.
Continuing Education
Dr. Stiehm maintains ongoing professional development in behavioral health, trauma treatment, couples counseling, law enforcement, criminal justice, threat assessment, use of force, and related areas.
His continuing education includes training in areas such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems, Gottman Method approaches, Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, differential diagnosis, family-court matters, anxiety disorders, and work with complex adolescents.
He also maintains continuing education related to law enforcement training, use of force, crisis response, investigations, and professional standards.
