More Info About My Practice

I see clients in two locations: Encino and Simi Valley. Both offices offer free parking in private lots. I work with Change Within Reach, Inc. a professional clinical therapy group, under the supervision of Anna Gershelis, Ph.D., LCSW. I am an LGBTQ ally, and a firm believer in equality for everyone, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I provide confidential therapy services for individuals (adults and teens), couples, and families. There are many reasons people seek therapy. I have listed some of the the most common issues I hep with below. If what you need help with is not listed below, I may still be able to help you. However, if I cannot assist with what troubles you, I will tell you right away so you can find the help you need.

* Couples: improving communication, connecting, growing apart, betrayal, resentment, anger, frustration, repairing, revitalizing, codependency, roles, crisis counseling, big changes (e.g. job loss, relocation, grief/loss, illness, empty nest, etc.), premarital counseling, parenting and co-parenting, ending a marriage/relationship gracefully and compassionately (minimizing collateral damage), and post-relationship counseling (including learning to co-parent with your ex).

* Families: relationships, crisis counseling, troubled teenagers (e.g. isolating, acting out, falling grades, anger, defiance, getting in trouble, etc.), parenting and co-parenting, divorce, blended families, grief/loss, relocating, changes in the family system (additions, losses, etc.; e.g. the in-laws are moving in, mental or physical illness), and managing the family business (I have an extensive entrepreneurial/business background).

* Individuals (adults and teens): managing/improving relationships with your: parents, children, partner/spouse, siblings, friends, boss, coworkers, teachers, etc., mood disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.), adjustment disorders, relationship/divorce recovery, identity development, self-esteem, self-advocating, coming out, major life changes, stage-of-life issues, ending a relationship, recovering from past abuse, stress management, gender identity, finding your way/feeling "lost" (e.g. "What do I want to do with my life?"), loneliness/isolation, anger management, grief and loss, and finding a path that makes you truly happy. Helping people build the self-esteem needed to love themselves and take control of their lives are key aspects of my work.

Additional specialties:

* LGBTQ: I work with people of all sexual and gender orientations. I am a vocal ally, and have extensive experience working with LGBTQ adults and teens. About half of my clients consider themselves part of the LGBTQ population.

* Executives and business owners: before becoming a therapist, I spent two decades in the business world as business/systems analyst, project manager, and entrepreneur (I still do a bit of OM and SP consulting). This means I understand the world of business people and executives. I get what it is like when you have a terrible boss, having to deal with a workplace bully, not wanting to fire someone you like, RIFs, bad management, and dealing with people who need a lot of coaching. I understand the stress of having direct reports and being responsible for a department or major project--or an entire organization. If your job stresses you out, comes home with you and keeps you up at night, or has become so much of your identity that you can't remember how to have actual, real fun anymore--I get it. I can help you learn to manage stress and make life decisions you feel good about at work, and at home.

My Role as a Therapist

My role as therapist is to be 100% in your corner, helping you address the issues that brought you to therapy. I can help you figure out why you are "stuck", and help you identify and utilize resources and strategies to get you unstuck. We will work together to help you make the changes necessary to create the life you really want. When challenges seem to block your path, I can help you regroup, heal, take stock, set goals, and take specific action to move forwards towards those goals.

A word about couples and families: I can help you identify patterns in relationships which impact the ability to function in a healthy manner, and help you learn to create and enjoy a fulfilling relationship. Couples often need guidance to reconnect, repair their relationship, or rediscover why they got together in the first place. Couples and families are like complex machines (picture the engine in a car) which require all their parts to function properly so it can work effectively. If something is broken or missing, the machine may need adjusting or repair so it can work properly again. Navigating such challenges is my primary specialty: I am specifically trained to help people with all aspects of the relationships in their lives: family, intimate, social, career, and most importantly, with themselves.

About working with teens: I greatly enjoy helping teens learn to manage the emotions and pressure they experience on a daily basis. Learning to juggle school, homework, parents, relationships, the staggering pressure of (sometimes unwanted) life choices, peer pressure, social lives, gender identity, and developing a solid overall identity they like can become overwhelming. Teenagers have one job: to figure out who they are and successfully navigate the minefield of adolescence so they can grow into that person and emerge as a healthy, whole adult. I consider helping teens navigate their stressful, complicated lives one of my most important roles as a therapist. This is more than a specialty--it is an area of genuine interest. My graduate school thesis was: "Resilience In Adolescents Following Parental Divorce Or Separation". Working with teens is an extremely important aspect of my practice, and I approach it with an open mind, hope, enthusiasm, and of course, plenty of patience.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

Current research indicates one of the the most important factors contributing to your success in therapy is the relationship you build with your therapist. To determine whether you may be a good fit, I suggest giving the therapist a call and have a chat to get a feel for them. If you think they may be a good fit, schedule an initial session. You will be able to tell pretty quickly (likely within a couple sessions), if you may be a good fit for each other.

So, what makes a good fit? How effectively you work together depends on a number of factors, including your personalities. Using the first few sessions to try each other out is a normal part of the process of choosing a therapist, and you should not feel badly if it turns out a therapist is not right for you. If either of us feels we are not meshing well, let's talk about it. If needed, I can try and help you find someone who may be better for you. Making sure you get the help you need, in a manner that works for you, is what matters most to both of us.

The therapist's specializations are also important, as these areas are typically where they have the most knowledge and experience. My specialties are covered in this page, and more information is available on my website.

A high-quality education matters. I have two psychology degrees from highly-regarded private schools here in California: California Lutheran University (BA, Psychology, honors), and Phillips Graduate Institute University (MA, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy). My BA in psychology from CLU thoroughly prepared me for graduate-level psychology coursework, and allowed me to explore the various areas of the psychology field before selecting a specific graduate degree to pursue my primary area of interest: relationships, self-esteem, and mental health disorders.

I look forward to hearing from you, and to finding out how I can be of service to you. Please give me a call or send me an email. Let's find out if we are a good fit.

-Matt