LPC, 18 years of experience
Hello! Hello! My name’s Matt, nice to meet you! (First, the obligatory introduction) I’ve been working in the mental health field since 2007, and, despite initially being licensed in another state, I returned to New Jersey, where I began working as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) about ten years ago. I soon settled into the role of clinical therapist, being recognized as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) by the National Board of Certified Counselors, with a tendency to work with those coping with, anxiety, depression, or a combination of the two. (Although I have worked with many others with different concerns, this is the way things have been for years.) Not too long after the quarantine began, I left the group I had been working with to form a private practice. Here, I have the ability to meet with and focus on my clients, providing each with the attention they deserve. One of the primary purposes of coming to therapy is to be heard. I am here to listen. Not just listen, though! We work together to come up with a solution to the problem or issue you are working through. As we discuss what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, we learn to tell the difference between a healthy, productive way to cope and a less-than-desirable way to deal with your problem.
Meeting someone new for the first time can sometimes feel a bit nerve-wracking, especially when discussing sensitive topics. During our initial sessions, we'll take things gently, allowing us to get to know each other and explore why you're reaching out for help. I'll follow your lead, making sure you feel safe and comfortable enough to open up at your own pace.
I'm a compassionate and understanding listener who takes a relaxed approach to therapy. I've been managing depression and anxiety since I was a child, and I sometimes share how my experiences relate to a client's current situation.
People decide to take the step and try (or continue) therapy for many, many reasons. All of these reasons, from severe to relatively minor concerns, have solutions, and together we can work on figuring out what they are! Therapy should be uniquely tailored to each person. I work with clients to identify patterns of behavior that may have contributed to difficulties in relationships—with family, friends, or at work or school—and help find ways to create positive change. We learn to change our perspective on life, our past, our entire reality, and recognize that we really can control how we think and what we think about. I've worked with a wide array of clients: some with bipolar disorder, PTSD, trauma, grief, and work-life balance issues, along with "every day problems".
This approach ensures that each client's needs are met in the most effective way possible. It combines the best ideas and techniques from several other methods, tailoring them to each client's individual situation.
This is a well-known, "gold standard" approach that has been demonstrated to be effective for many people facing many issues. It is one of the most commonly used "go-to" methods. This is based on the idea that there is a direct link between thoughts, expectations, and behavior that, with attention, can be changed.
A useful approach that many find helpful, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been incorporated into many different disciplines recently. This can be particularly helpful for those with anxiety.