Matthew English, LCSW

Illinois | Online sessions in Illinois | English | Book with Matthew »

A steady guide for changing personal stories

Details

Name	Matthew English
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Illinois
Licensed in	Illinois
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	8

About Matthew

Matthew English is a licensed clinical social worker with eight years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, and depression. He offers a calm, straightforward presence and uses conversational techniques that aim to make difficult feelings easier to notice and name. He often blends storytelling and practical skill-building to help clients move forward in day-to-day life.

Matthew’s background includes community service and work with people who have experienced trauma and abuse.

Background and approach

He also has experience supporting people in the LGBT community and those exploring sexuality, self-love, and men’s issues. He brings that context into sessions while keeping the focus on each person’s priorities. In session he asks people to notice uncomfortable feelings rather than push them away.

He encourages simple practices like breath awareness and short behavioral experiments between sessions. Homework tasks are collaborative and reviewed without judgment at the next meeting. Narrative approaches are part of his toolkit, helping people reframe personal stories that feel stuck.

He also uses skills from cognitive behavioral and dialectical approaches when tracking thoughts and building emotional regulation, depending on what each person needs. Matthew aims to make therapy a space for discovering strengths and clarifying values. He frames goals around practical steps someone can take between sessions.

He sees therapy as a cooperative process of learning and steady change.

What this therapist works with

His listing names Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse among the things Matthew works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Existential Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Somatic Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Internal Family Systems: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Systemic Therapy: Listed by Matthew among the ways he works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Matthew directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Matthew directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

Narrative and Skills-Based Care Online

Matthew integrates Narrative Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered approaches in ways that suit remote work. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and how to retell those stories so they fit values and goals. ACT emphasizes noticing thoughts and feelings while committing to value-based actions that matter in daily life. Client-Centered work prioritizes the person’s experience and aims to create a nonjudgmental space where concerns can be named and understood.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. Matthew will work with each person to identify what feels most helpful based on their needs and goals. Together they decide whether to emphasize storytelling, skill practice, mindfulness, or a blend of methods as therapy progresses.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging let people patch sessions into busy days and use brief written check-ins between longer appointments. These options help make therapy fit into work, family, and daily routines.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of problems does Matthew help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem concerns. Additional focuses include attachment issues, life purpose, men’s issues, self-love, sexuality, and LGBT-related concerns.

What is his general therapy style?

He uses a narrative-informed, client-centered style that mixes storytelling with concrete skill practice. Sessions are conversational and focused on small steps and homework you can try between meetings.

How much clinical experience does he have?

He has eight years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker. His background includes community work and supporting people who have experienced trauma.

Where is he licensed and located?

Matthew holds an LCSW license in Illinois and provides services from that state.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Can people outside the United States work with him?

International clients are not currently accepted; he provides services to clients located within the applicable jurisdiction.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and scheduling work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Matthew are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Matthew where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.

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