- ACT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Matthew
Matthew Tapia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 11 years of clinical experience in Arizona and California. He works with people who struggle with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting challenges, depression, ADHD, and trauma and abuse. Matthew often sees clients who are dealing with life transitions, anger, self-esteem concerns, career stress, and compassion fatigue.
He uses clear, practical methods in sessions and focuses on working together with each person. Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented. Matthew draws from approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Matthew's background includes time in private practice and at a nonprofit mental health clinic. He has provided counseling, supervision, consultation, and training across a range of settings. That work exposed him to issues such as autism and Asperger syndrome, caregiving stress, blended family concerns, and crisis response for first responders.
He holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University. He is licensed as an LMFT in Arizona and California. His clinical experience includes working with children, teens, and adults in outpatient and community settings.
In sessions Matthew focuses on practical skills, clearer communication, and step-by-step problem solving. He aims to help people reduce anxiety around social situations and improve how they relate with others. The work is collaborative, with attention to what each person finds most helpful.
How Matthew’s methods translate to online work
Matthew uses ACT to help people notice thoughts and focus on valued action; this approach is useful for anxiety and motivation issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps break problems into thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and teaches practical skills for changing unhelpful patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving communication.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Matthew treats this as a team effort and will discuss which methods suit a person’s goals and preferences during early sessions. He adjusts pacing and exercises based on what a client finds most useful.
Confirm the session formats available before booking, as the biography does not list specific delivery methods. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find video or phone options helpful for practicing skills between appointments and for keeping sessions consistent while managing daily responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
California, Arizona
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting, depression, ADHD, trauma and related concerns like self-esteem and coping with life changes.
What is his general approach in sessions?
Sessions are collaborative and practical, using ACT, DBT, CBT, and mindfulness tools to build skills and reduce distress over time.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 11 years of experience working in private practice and nonprofit mental health settings with children, teens, adults, and families.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in Arizona and California and practices from Arizona.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.