About Matthew
Matthew Dugan is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in South Carolina with 23 years of experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, relationship and intimacy concerns, and the challenges of life changes. He also supports issues related to LGBT identity, grief, family problems, and career pressures.
Matthew uses clear, practical methods in sessions. He focuses on what is happening now and what can change. Sessions mix talking, skill-building, and structured exercises tailored to each person's goals.
How Matthew works
Over two decades in behavioral health shaped his approach. He draws on client-centered work to keep conversations focused on the person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thoughts and shift behavior.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy adds tools for emotion regulation and crises. He also uses EMDR for trauma work and mindfulness techniques to strengthen attention and reduce reactivity. Motivational Interviewing supports change when substance use or ambivalence is present.
Matthew aims to help people reduce suffering and build a life they find meaningful. Sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, and messaging so people can choose what fits their day. He communicates plainly and sets collaborative goals.
To begin, someone completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules a time that works for them.
Matthew lists 8 ways of working on the entry:
What Matthew works with
The areas below are the ones Matthew selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
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
Training and background
| Register | LPC |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 23 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | South Carolina |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Practical approaches for online care
Matthew uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors that keep problems going. CBT often includes short exercises and homework to practice new skills between sessions.He also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy for people who need help managing intense emotions. DBT teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving communication in stressful moments.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Matthew collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. He adapts plans over time based on what is working and what the person wants to focus on.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and teaching of skills. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a camera is not wanted. Live chat and messaging offer shorter check-ins, written reflections, and ongoing support between live meetings. These options help make therapy fit into busy schedules and different daily routines.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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