Matthew Dugan , LPC

Matthew Dugan is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor with 21 years of experience working with individuals who have serious and persistent mental illness. He holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University (2004) and is nationally certified as a Master Addiction Counselor - reflecting advanced training in addiction treatment - as well as certified in South Carolina as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He brings long experience in crisis counseling and a strong grounding in evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Matthew regularly supports people coping with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, trauma-related conditions, and borderline personality disorder. He also works with a wide range of life challenges such as relationship and family difficulties, grief, intimacy and commitment issues, codependency, and career stress. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he is committed to assisting others through the coming out process and addressing issues that affect sexual and gender minority clients.

His practice aims to reduce suffering and help each person build a life worth living, using practical, compassionate strategies tailored to individual goals and circumstances.

Therapeutic approaches and how online care fits

Matthew Dugan commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into his work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors and is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. EMDR is a trauma-focused approach that helps process distressing memories and reduce their ongoing emotional impact. DBT emphasizes skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness and can be especially helpful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Matthew works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. He discusses options, explains what to expect, and adjusts the plan as work progresses.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for many people. Video calls and phone sessions allow real-time conversation similar to in-person meetings, while live chat and text-based messaging provide flexible ways to connect between sessions and during busy schedules. These options can make it easier to access licensed professionals and therapists from different locations and to fit care into everyday life.