Matthew Reyes, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and first completed my bachelor of arts in Tampa, Florida at the University of South Florida majoring in interdisciplinary social sciences, with a concentration in psychology and sociology. Then I obtained a dual master of arts in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology from Webster Vienna Private University in Vienna, Austria, and Webster University in Missouri. My training abroad allowed me to practice holistic counseling in diverse settings such as international social hubs, LGBTQIA+ cultural centers, and a university counseling center. I worked with clientele from different cultural backgrounds and age groups, where I utilized a variety of therapeutic approaches including individual counseling, group counseling, expressive arts interventions (music, art, dance, poetry), and guided meditations. My therapeutic approach focuses on client-centered, humanistic philosophies that aim to explore and treat the individual as a whole: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. My approach is grounded in a stance of empathy, acceptance, and respect for self-discovery and self-determination for all clients. Through techniques taken from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Gestalt therapy, I help clients become aware of and identify feelings, emotions, conflicts, and behaviors of the here and now. Through open and honest communication, my goal is to create a therapeutic space that is both a collaboration and a healing mechanism for clients who may be experiencing: depression, anxiety, relationship stress, substance abuse, or existential issues. Overall, I believe the therapeutic relationship is the most valuable part in the process of therapy. In therapy with me, both client and therapist have the potential to transform the space into their own unique canvas.