MEET Maddie Edmondson

DIRECTOR OF COMPANION & MENTOR PROGRAM

(With a speciality in matching families with companions and mentors)

Education

Madelyn (Maddie) Edmondson received a degree in Recreational Therapy from Texas State University, driven by her aspiration to contribute to healthcare without following the typical paths of a doctor or nurse. In this discipline, she discovered her niche, identified a crucial connection between treatment approaches and real-world applications, and ultimately found a way to fulfill her desire to help people.

Experience

Maddie has eight years of experience in the therapeutic field, allowing her to understand the importance of companionship and the therapeutic goals of clients. She spent the first several years of her career at a clinic in Houston as a rehabilitation specialist, where she led groups and planned outings for adolescents and young adults. She also spent one year working in memory care, gaining invaluable experience in geriatric psychology.

In 2016, Maddie moved to Dallas where she worked as a companion at an outpatient group initially before managing and building their companion and mentor program. In this role, she planned and facilitated staff trainings, provided assessments, and helped with case management, overseeing treatment planning and collaborating closely with her clients’ treatment teams and family members. Her unique experience makes her a great fit for her current role, growing 360to180’s companion and mentor program.

Maddie is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

Mission

From managing staff, client logistics and helping to train and supervise staff, Maddie’s main goal is to match families with companions and mentors that are the best therapeutic fit for their unique needs. Fueled by her desire to help others, she believes in the importance of identifying existing gaps in people’s treatments and figuring out how companions and mentors can step into a family’s system. Through this, they can gain understanding of the family’s system and ultimately help it function better.

Hobbies & Personal Life

Maddie has been happily married for eight years to her husband, a teacher and football coach. Their household is a lively one, featuring two boys, a Great Pyrenees, two cats, and a fish tank, ensuring there's never a dull moment.

During her free moments, Maddie indulges in the pleasures of cooking and baking, with a focus on various pasta dishes and exploring new recipes. Alongside these activities, she finds fulfillment in gardening and creating beautiful flower arrangements. Regardless of the task at hand, Maddie consistently prioritizes being fully present in the current moment, both in her personal and professional worlds.