About Matthew
Matthew Dugan is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, and relationship or intimacy concerns. He listens closely and focuses on practical steps you can try between sessions. His tone is direct and steady, aimed at reducing harm and restoring everyday functioning.
He draws on over two decades of clinical experience in behavioral health. That background includes work with mood conditions, substance use, trauma, and identity-related concerns for LGBTQ people.
Background and approach
He focuses on clear goals, teaching new coping skills, and tracking progress in concrete ways. Matthew uses a mix of approaches rather than one fixed method. Sessions often include problem-solving, skill practice, and work to change unhelpful thinking or behavior.
He also uses trauma-focused tools when past events continue to cause distress. Sessions are practical and collaborative. People can expect straightforward discussion, skills to try at home, and adjustments when something isn’t working.
He aims to help people build a life they find meaningful. He provides services from South Carolina and offers several online formats. Matthew holds a Master’s degree in counseling and has extensive experience in clinical settings over 23 years.
He frames treatment around what the person wants to achieve and adapts methods to fit individual needs.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s goals and priorities. The therapist listens closely, reflects what is said, and helps people find their own solutions. This approach can help with relationship worries, identity questions, and feeling stuck.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions. Online sessions use real examples to spot unhelpful thinking and practice new behaviors that reduce anxiety or depression.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication. These skills are useful for managing intense emotions and improving everyday functioning.
Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods in session, and adjust based on what helps. The plan can shift as needs and preferences become clearer.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversation and skill coaching, while phone calls work when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging can fit quick check-ins, short coaching, or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to schedule sessions, fit work or family routines, and keep consistent contact with licensed professionals.
Questions people ask
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What this counselor works with
Most often
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Relationship issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 23 years
- Licensed
- South Carolina
- Languages
- English