ChangeAtYourPace.org Need help now?

Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

Matthew Rodgers

Matthew Rodgers

LCSW

California

Practical help for addictions and intimacy challenges

Continue with Matthew

At a glance

Credentials
LCSW
License
LCSW, California / 127095
Experience
5 years
Languages
English
Location
California

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Addictions support
    • LGBTQ issues
    • Trauma-informed care

    About Matthew

    Matthew Rodgers is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing addictions, LGBTQ concerns, intimacy issues, low self-esteem, and life changes. They bring five years of clinical experience and a calm, direct manner that aims to make hard conversations easier to start and keep going.

    Matthew focuses on practical steps that clients can use between sessions. Conversations often center on small, achievable goals and clearer motivation for change. Sessions are straightforward and collaborative, with the client guiding priorities and the therapist offering options to try.

    Much of Matthew's work has involved Veterans, especially around post-traumatic stress and substance use. That background means they are familiar with trauma reactions and the ways addiction and adjustment issues can overlap. They also have knowledge of traumatic brain injury and how it can affect daily functioning.

    Matthew brings a background in gerontology and experience with LGBTQIA+ culture and sex therapy topics. They also support people navigating polyamory, kink and alternative sex cultures, body image, guilt and shame, and questions about life purpose and self-love.

    In sessions, Matthew aims to build an open, nonjudgmental space where feelings and practical barriers can be talked through. Taking the first step can feel risky. They focus on steady progress and helping people find the motivation and tools to move toward a happier, more independent life.

  2. How these approaches guide online sessions

    Motivational Interviewing is a conversational approach that helps people sort out what they want to change and why. It focuses on strengthening motivation and drawing out the person's own reasons for making a change, which can help with addictions or shifts in relationship or self-care patterns.

    Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the effects of traumatic events and the symptoms that follow. It looks at how past events affect present feelings and behavior and supports gradual steps toward feeling more in control and less overwhelmed.

    Finding the right approach is part of the process. Matthew will work together with each person to figure out which methods fit their goals and preferences, and will adjust the focus over time based on progress and need.

    Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow for check-ins that match a client's schedule. Some people find shorter remote check-ins helpful for momentum, while others prefer longer conversations when time allows. Talk with the therapist about what session cadence and length will work best for everyday routines.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    AddictionsLGBTIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes

    Additional focus areas

    BDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBody imageDrug and alcohol addictionForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexualityTraumatic brain injury

    Therapeutic approaches

    Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

    Experience

    5+ years

    Listed in

    California

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What concerns does Matthew commonly help with?

    He supports people dealing with addictions, LGBTQ matters, intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, along with related topics like body image and sexuality.

    What is Matthew's therapeutic style?

    Matthew uses straightforward, collaborative conversations that set small goals and focus on motivation for change. Sessions aim to be practical and paced to the client's needs.

    How much clinical experience does he have?

    Matthew has five years of professional experience working in clinical settings, including substantial work with Veterans and trauma-related concerns.

    What are his credentials and where is he located?

    He holds an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and practices in California.

    Which languages are sessions offered in?

    Sessions are offered in English.

    Can international clients work with him?

    He is not currently accepting international clients.

    How are session costs handled?

    Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I begin working with Matthew?

    Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to his availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

Back to all therapists

Matthew Rodgers Continue with Matthew