Matthew Carleton , LMSW

Matthew Carleton is a Michigan-based licensed social worker who brings a practical, skills-oriented approach to therapy for individuals and couples. He has provided individual therapy for about 7 years and has led group therapy focused on domestic violence and relationship dynamics for about 12 years. Matthew concentrates on relationship issues, coping with anxiety, and building healthier self-esteem while also supporting people facing trauma, addiction, parenting challenges, career transitions, and other life changes.

As an LMSW - a Licensed Master Social Worker - he combines structured techniques with collaborative goal-setting to help clients make measurable progress. His primary clinical approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which involves identifying unhelpful thoughts, testing them against evidence, and developing practical strategies to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In couples work he integrates elements of the Gottman Method to strengthen communication, repair conflict patterns, and rebuild connection.

Matthew emphasizes translating insight into everyday practice so that new skills can be used outside the therapy room. He practices in Michigan and offers services in multiple formats to accommodate different schedules and preferences.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Matthew Carleton draws primarily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method in his practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and test the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to anxiety and depression, and it teaches practical skills to change patterns of thinking and behavior. The Gottman Method focuses on communication, conflict management, and building emotional connection in couples, offering exercises and tools to improve interaction and reduce recurring conflicts.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process - Matthew works collaboratively with each person or couple to assess needs, goals, and preferences and to adjust techniques over time. This collaborative stance helps tailor therapy to what actually works for the individual or relationship rather than following a one-size-fits-all recipe.

Online therapy makes these approaches more accessible. Licensed professionals can deliver CBT or Gottman-informed work through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which provides flexibility for busy schedules and for people balancing work, family, or geographic constraints. Remote sessions also make it easier to practice skills between appointments and to keep continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible.