What typically surprises people is that I am the 11th of 13 children - all from the same parents. Growing up with so many siblings has given me a great opportunity to learn about family dynamics and effective discipline. My parents did a great job of maintaining a safe and well-behaved home, and I use their example as a template while also incorporating my own experience as a parent for working with families today.
During your first session, you will share what it is that moved you to want to attend counseling. You will only share information you are comfortable with sharing, and you will be able to ask whatever questions you may have. The role of the therapist is not to pick THE path in life for you, but rather to act like a light in the ceiling . . . to provide illumination over all possible paths available to you so you can figure out which path feels right for you. Throughout the entire counseling experience, you will be treated with respect, acceptance, and impartiality - so that you may enjoy the soft and comforting warmth of dignity.
Therapists do not always have to share similar experiences with clients in order to be effective; however, when they do have similar experiences - much stronger therapeutic relationships can be formed. I have my own experience with being abused when I was in 5th and 6th grade. The memory of that abuse, at first, influenced the way I looked at myself, life, and other people. My initial behaviors based on those memories were neither beneficial nor healthy. As I grew older, however, I began to realize that the abuse and the memories of it are not what define me, but rather how I choose to respond to the abuse and memories is what defines me. At the age of 31 my former wife and I divorced, and I felt the pain of loss and the fear of the "unknown". How will I survive? How do I be a good father and role-model for our daughter. How do I maintain a friendship with my daughter's mother when so many other parents do not? It is through my own life experiences and challenges that I have built a strong sense of empathy for others who have been or who may currently be experiencing abuse; for those who have or are experiencing great loss and grief; for those who are searching very hard how to find a path in life that is satisfying and rewarding not only for themselves, but for others they love.
My first experience as a therapist was providing counseling services at a behavioral, substance abuse, and mental health treatment facility with children and adults in both an inpatient and outpatient setting. Some of my clients were mandated by the courts to attend counseling due to their extensive legal history. Through working at this facility I learned very well how to work with people suffering with addictions, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, low self-esteem typically stemming from being abused as a child or having been exposed to high conflict between their parents. Exposure to domestic violence also plays a role in all of these symptoms. My greatest hope is to help clients who are struggling with these symptoms (or more) so that they can learn how to live their life with peace and dignity. The counseling sessions that feel the most rewarding to me are when a client comes in for the session in distress, but then leaves the session in a significantly improved mood while feeling newfound joy in knowing that they actually CAN learn how to live a happier and more productive life.
Anxiety
Depression
Domestic Violence
Anger Management
Family Conflict
Family Therapy
Man
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Florida
Aetna
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have been using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) since I started counseling back in 2003. It is very effective in helping people overcome painful memories and experiences such as past or present abuse, substance use, or simply every-day stressors. CBT explores an individual's thinking patterns and how these thinking patterns affect how the individual feels - and then how the individual behaves in reaction to those feelings.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Just like CBT, I have been using Solution Focused therapy since 2003, and it has been very effective in helping people learn to look for solutions to their difficulties rather than simply re-hashing or repeatedly thinking about the events that led to those difficulties. Learning to look for solutions helps individuals regain a sense of hope - thereby improving mood and outlooks on life.
2 ratings with written reviews
March 20, 2026
Very effective at challenging negative thought patterns and giving patients the tools to succeed. Direct while still remaining open minded to new information.
March 10, 2026
Thank you Matthew, you provided a down to earth approach that was helpful & important to my situation.