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MD Portrait of Matthew Dugan

Matthew Dugan

Seasoned counselor blending practical skills and compassion

LPC South Carolina

Experience
23 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Matthew

About Matthew

Matthew Dugan is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with more than two decades of experience supporting people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy-related issues, and related challenges.

Background and approach

He brings a practical, skills-focused approach anchored in cognitive behavioral techniques while also drawing on trauma-informed methods and mindfulness to help clients manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and work toward meaningful changes.

He combines client-centered principles with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT skills, and EMDR to address a wide range of issues including substance use, bipolar conditions, compassion fatigue, and identity-related concerns. Matthew’s background includes extensive work in behavioral health settings, and he emphasizes collaboration, clear goal-setting, and teaching tools that clients can use between sessions.

He practices in South Carolina and offers services in English, helping people explore underlying patterns, build resilience, and create a more satisfying day-to-day life.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Matthew integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR alongside client-centered methods in online work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms and build practical coping skills; it is often useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many day-to-day challenges. EMDR is a trauma-focused approach that uses structured processing to help people reprocess distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact, which can be helpful for trauma and abuse-related symptoms. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration to ensure the client's goals and values guide the work.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Matthew will work with each person to assess needs and preferences, and he can blend techniques or shift methods over time so treatment matches evolving goals and circumstances.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it possible to schedule evening or weekend appointments, maintain continuity during life changes, and practice skills between sessions using written exchanges when that is helpful. Licensed professionals can adapt these methods effectively for remote care while focusing on practical tools and progress.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Matthew address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family problems, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger, self esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue among other areas.
What is his therapeutic style and approach?
Matthew uses a client-centered stance combined with cognitive behavioral techniques, DBT skills, EMDR, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to tailor treatment to each person's needs.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He brings 23 years of experience working in behavioral health and has developed proficiency in crisis counseling, trauma-informed therapies, and addiction-related care.
Where is he licensed and what are his credentials?
He holds the LPC credential in South Carolina with the designation SC LPC 5264 and practices in South Carolina.
Does he provide services in languages other than English or to international clients?
Sessions are conducted in English and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide a range of remote options for different preferences.
How are fees and payment handled?
Fees vary with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; specific pricing depends on the subscription plan.
How do I begin working with him?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule appointments based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

23+ years

Licensed

South Carolina

Languages

English