Stephanie Mattei, 249, is a force. A licensed psychologist, mother, partner to fellow central alumni Angelo, a dedicated AACHS Exec Board Member proud 249er, and member of the Capital Campaign Committee, she has spent over 20 years working in women’s mental health. Her expertise lies in helping people understand their emotions and the ways those emotions influence thoughts and behaviors. The therapy practice she co-founded specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and other evidence-based treatments, serving countless individuals with compassion and insight.
A lifelong Philadelphian, Stephanie grew up in Northeast Philly and made the daily journey to Central by bus and train. At that time, Central’s female population was still relatively new, and Stephanie played an important role in building their presence on campus. She co-founded the Girls Field Hockey team, which remains one of Central’s most competitive athletic programs today, and she was a powerful voice in the Students for Choice club—helping lay the groundwork for future feminist and social justice organizations at Central.
After graduation, Stephanie attended Rider University in New Jersey—the only time she lived outside the Philadelphia area. She soon returned home to pursue both her master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology at La Salle University, just blocks away from Central. During this period, she reconnected with and married Angelo (242), the brother of one of her closest Central friends. While she was completing her Psy.D. program, the two also co-owned a popular coffee shop, The Ground Floor, in Pennsport that became a neighborhood staple.
Today, Stephanie continues her work at the thriving practice she co-founded with fellow psychiatrists and serves as a faculty member at La Salle University, where she mentors the next generation of clinicians. She is also the proud mother of two daughters, both now in college. With more time to dedicate beyond her career and family, Stephanie has chosen to give back to a place that shaped her most formative years: the hallowed halls of Central High School.
How did your time at Central shape your life today?
Central did more than prepare me academically—it taught me how to learn. I discovered that if I fully commit to a challenge, I have the capacity to come out stronger, wiser, and successful on the other side. It taught me that learning is more than just absorbing facts; it’s about tackling challenges head-on, even when they feel overwhelming. That lesson has stayed with me ever since. Because of it, I don’t shy away from tasks others might call “too hard,” “too time-consuming,” or “too much.” Central taught me grit—and that grit has shaped every part of my life.
That mindset has carried into my adult life and made me a relentless encourager—for my children, my patients, and my students. I see how often people give up before they even begin, simply because they’re paralyzed by the scale of the challenge. I’ve seen how fear and overwhelm can stop people before they even start—but I’ve also seen how powerful it can be when someone believes they can push through. The truth is, we all have the ability to break down big problems into manageable steps. We just forget that in the moment.
How do you eat an elephant? The same way you eat anything else—one bite at a time. Central gave me that perspective, and it’s one of the most valuable tools I carry with me to this day.
What advice do you have for current students?
I like to think that if I could go back to high school, I’d do things differently—that somehow, the 35 years of life experience I’ve gained since graduating would give me magical insight that could change everything. Sure, I could have studied harder. I skipped Senior Cut Day (thanks to a pharmacology exam and not wanting to get on Mr. Brooks’ bad side). But truthfully, I had my share of fun—hanging out on the South Lawn and doing all the “things” that made Central what it was.
If I could offer one piece of advice to my younger self—or to current students—it would be this: pay attention and be present. Soak it all in.
You may not realize it yet, but walking through those hallways, surrounded by a rich diversity of people, cultures, and perspectives, is an incredible gift. Each one of you adds to the unique fabric of Central, and that experience will stay with you long after you graduate.
So yes, work hard. Study. Push yourself. But also take a moment to appreciate the people around you and the opportunities in front of you. Central isn’t just a school—it’s an experience, a community, and a foundation that will shape who you become.
Why would you encourage other alumni to get involved in AACHS?
The best way I can describe what it feels like to be involved with AACHS is by sharing how I felt after attending 249’s 35th reunion this summer. It was like walking into a family gathering I didn’t know I’d been missing. Being surrounded by classmates, reconnecting after so many years, I felt a deep sense of pride in being actively involved with AACHS. I had the chance to share updates about the Capital Campaign, and it was incredibly rewarding when several classmates reached out afterward, genuinely interested in learning how they could get involved as well.
Truthfully, I hadn’t considered joining the organization until I saw a Facebook post from David Kahn (220) (past president) and the nominating committee. In his post, he stated that the Board of Managers was looking for new members—and that was the first time I realized AACHS was something alumni like me could actively be involved in. Like many, I assumed Central had special status within the School District and received special attention and resources. I now understand how much Central relies on AACHS and its alumni network to sustain the excellence and opportunities our students experience today.
AACHS plays a vital role in ensuring Central remains the exceptional institution we all remember. Getting involved has not only reconnected me with my Central roots but also shown me how much of an impact we, as alumni, can have. My hope is that more of us step forward—because the more we give back, the stronger the future we create for the next generation of Central students.
