Matthew Dugan , LPC

Matthew Dugan is a licensed professional counselor and clinical supervisor with 23 years of experience supporting people facing complex mental health and addiction challenges. He holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University and carries additional certifications as a Master Addiction Counselor and an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor - credentials that reflect specialized training in substance use treatment and recovery.

Over the course of his career he has developed strengths in crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed approaches, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), motivational interviewing, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). He regularly works with individuals managing depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, substance use disorders, and patterns associated with borderline personality disorder. His practice also addresses a range of life challenges including relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy and self-esteem concerns, career stress, and compassion fatigue.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Matthew brings an informed and affirming perspective to issues such as coming out and gender dysphoria. His work is focused on reducing suffering and helping each person build a life they consider worth living through practical skills, collaborative planning, and informed clinical methods.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, often called CBT, helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills to change behaviors and moods. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress management, and many day-to-day coping challenges.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, combines skills training in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. It is especially useful for people who experience intense emotions, relationship difficulties, or patterns of impulsive behavior.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, known as EMDR, is a trauma-focused approach that helps people process distressing memories and reduce the emotional charge linked to past events. It is often chosen by those working through traumatic experiences or prolonged stress reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Matthew collaborates with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and to tailor a plan that may draw from these methods. Licensed professionals can adjust techniques over time to fit what works best for the client.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions happen - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging allow people to access care from home, during breaks, or around other obligations. For many clients these options make consistent engagement easier and help therapy fit into daily life while preserving continuity with familiar therapists.