Andrea Mata

Youth Mental Health Expert & Parenting Coach

Andrea Mata

Youth Mental Health Expert & Parenting Coach

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Biography

Dr. Andrea Mata, PhD, is on a mission to throat-punch the youth mental health crisis and equip parents, educators, and leaders with the tools they need to raise adaptable kids and build resilient communities. Statistically, she shouldn’t be where she is today, growing up as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant in a gang-infested neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago. But Dr. Mata transformed her challenging upbringing into a source of strength, becoming a nationally recognized psychologist and speaker.

She is the author of The No. 2 Parenting Book: Practical Tips for the Pooped-Out Parent and is a leading voice in promoting authoritative parenting—a research-backed approach that combines high expectations within the context of the warm and fuzzies. Her insights have been featured on CNN and in The Wall Street Journal, where she offers real-world strategies for navigating parenting, behavior, and mental health with clarity and confidence.

With advanced degrees from Valparaiso University and Kent State University, Dr. Mata founded BrightSpot Families.

Known for her direct, relatable style, she delivers practical tools with just the right mix of science, humor, and real-life grit.

Speaker Videos

Dr. Andrea Mata - Reel

Speech Topics

From Coddled to Corporate: How Gentle Parenting Backfired - and What Leaders Can Do About It

Gentle parenting was meant to raise emotionally intelligent, confident kids. Instead, it helped create a generation of young adults who are anxious, underconfident, and overwhelmed by the demands of the real world. And now? They’ve entered the workforce.

In this bold and eye-opening keynote, Dr. Andrea “Dr. Dre” Mata—clinical psychologist and no-fluff truth-teller—breaks down how 18 years of coddling turned into a corporate crisis. She’ll show your team how to ditch the blame and embrace the solution: leading Gen Z with high expectations and high support. Because what they need isn’t hand-holding—it’s coaching.

Talk Takeaways:

Understand the real roots of Gen Z’s workplace challenges—and why “gentle” didn’t mean “strong.”
Learn the high expectations/high support framework that builds grit, not burnout.
Walk away with practical tools to coach this generation into confident, capable contributors.

Gentle Parenting Doesn’t Work

Gentle parenting is everywhere, but is it working? This talk uncovers the hidden dangers of this popular approach and its connection to the escalating Gen Z health crisis. Attendees leave empowered with research-backed strategies to raise adaptable kids who are ready to thrive in today’s challenging world.

Throat-Punching the Mental Health Crisis

We’re in a workplace mental health crisis. It’s your high performers. Your team leads. Your C-suite. In this no-fluff talk, clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Mata breaks down how we got here, why it’s hitting organizations harder than ever, and what leaders need to understand if they want their people to stay engaged, focused, and actually well.

Spoiler: you can’t fix burnout with beanbags and wellness apps. This talk goes back to the fundamentals of what makes people mentally strong, and shows you how to build a work culture that supports real performance and real people.

The Human Edge: Building Relationships & Grit in an AI-Driven World

AI is transforming the workplace, streamlining tasks, and reshaping how we work—but there are two things it will never do better than humans: build real relationships and develop true grit. In an era where automation is replacing transactional tasks, the real competitive advantage belongs to those who can foster human connection and resilience.

In this engaging and practical talk, Dr. Andrea Mata unpacks how leaders and teams can double down on the two irreplaceable human superpowers that will set them apart. With humor, research-backed insights, and real-world strategies, she’ll show you how to create a culture of belonging and grit—the kind that fuels high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams in any industry.

Talk Takeaways:

Build Belonging: Foster inclusivity and team cohesion by tapping into the universal human need for connection.
Practical Strategies: Leverage small but powerful actions, like remembering names, using humor, and making people feel seen, to strengthen workplace relationships.
How to Build It: Science-backed, actionable strategies to cultivate grit and adaptability in your work and life.

Audaciously Imperfect

Women face relentless pressure to be flawless. This inspiring talk challenges attendees to embrace their imperfections and use them as a source of authenticity, connection, and strength.

Talk Takeaways:

Embrace Imperfections: Discover how acknowledging flaws can lead to stronger connections and greater authenticity.
Overcome Unrealistic Expectations: Learn to reframe pressures and focus on what truly matters in personal and professional life.
Practical Strategies for Balance: Gain actionable tools to prioritize value-based living, prevent burnout, and cultivate self-care.