"A Veterans Journey To Healing" Special Interview with Dr. Hector R. Matascastillo, Ph.D., MSW, LICSW

"A Veterans Journey To Healing" Special Interview with Dr. Hector R. Matascastillo, Ph.D., MSW, LICSW

From Behavioral Health Integration by Jacob Minnig

May 19, 2026 · 53 min · Season 3 · Episode 36

About this episode

Dr. Hector R. Matascastillo shares his journey as a mental health professional and discusses how society can better support veterans.

It was an incredible honor having Hector on my show! In this episode we will discuss Hector's story on how he became a mental health professional as well as how we as a society can better support veterans. Dr. Hector R. Matascastillo is a multilingual and multicultural mental health professional with a background in military service, clinical social work, forensic psychology, and crisis negotiation. Born in Guatemala City and raised in Chicago, he joined the United States Army at age 17 and served for more than 18 years, including deployment to Iraq as a First Sergeant. After leaving the military in 2007, he earned his Master of Social Work degree from Augsburg College in 2010. He received formal training in EMDR, DBT, and Healing of Memories, and specializes in working with veterans, first responders, Latino communities, individuals with serious mental illness, and domestic abuse programming. Dr. Matascastillo also serves as a mental health consultant and crisis negotiator for the Minneapolis Police Department SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team and completed the FBI Citizen’s Academy. He is the owner and executive director of ASC Psychological Services and has been completing a Ph.D…

People in this episode

Host: Jacob Minnig

Guest: Dr. Hector R. Matascastillo

Topics covered

  • veterans support
  • mental health
  • clinical social work
  • forensic psychology
  • crisis negotiation
  • military service

Keywords

  • veterans
  • mental health professional
  • EMDR
  • DBT
  • cultural competence
  • crisis negotiation
  • social work
  • forensic psychology

Sponsors

CalmiGo

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ASC Psychological Services, Minneapolis Police Department SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team, FBI Citizen’s Academy

Places: Guatemala City, Chicago, United States

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