Matthew Schmeckpeper

LMHC, LMHP

Iowa

Guided, practical therapy for real change

Continue with Matthew

At a glance

Credentials

LMHC, LMHP

License

LMHC, Iowa / 089650; LMHP, Nebraska / 5395

NPI

1487070686

Experience

10 years

Languages

English

Location

Iowa

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

1. • Motivation focused
   • Skills oriented
   • Direct and practical

   About Matthew

   Matthew Schmeckpeper is a licensed mental health counselor and licensed mental health practitioner with ten years of experience. He works from Iowa and uses straightforward, practical approaches to help people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, and relationship struggles. He writes plainly and focuses on what can change next rather than rehashing blame.

   Matthew draws on experience in community mental health, schools, residential substance use treatment, and correctional settings. He has worked in intensive outpatient and outpatient programs and has been involved with child abuse recovery efforts. This background shapes how he approaches safety, structure, and real-world coping skills.

   His style centers on listening and helping people find motivation for change. He uses Motivational Interviewing to explore goals and readiness, and Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions grounded in the person’s concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are part of his toolkit for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

   Sessions tend to focus on doable steps, emotion regulation, and clearer decision-making. Matthew also attends to issues like impulsivity, guilt and shame, and fatherhood concerns when they come up. He works with mood disorders, bipolar challenges, trauma and abuse, and problems tied to substance use.

   Clients can expect direct conversation about behavior patterns and practical strategies to try between meetings. The emphasis is on collaboration and steady progress rather than quick fixes.

2. How these approaches fit with online therapy

   Motivational Interviewing focuses on helping people find their own reasons to change. It uses open questions and reflective listening to build motivation for steps like reducing substance use or improving daily routines. Client-Centered Therapy centers conversations on the person’s experience and goals, offering a respectful space to talk through hard topics without judgment. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and improving communication.
   
   Finding the right approach is part of the work. Matthew aims to collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences. That may mean starting with motivational conversations, adding skills training, or blending listening with action plans as needs evolve.
   
   Confirm current session options before booking, since formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, avoid travel time, and keep sessions brief when that suits the day. Some people prefer shorter check-ins by phone when they need less bandwidth, while others choose video for more visual connection. A therapist will help decide what will work best with the client’s schedule and goals.

4. Areas of expertise

   Primary focus

   AddictionsTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorder

   Also works with

   Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes

   Additional focus areas

   Antisocial personalityAutism and Asperger SyndromeCodependencyControl issuesDissociationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Sexual assault and abuseWorkplace issues

   Therapeutic approaches

   Client-Centered TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

   Experience

   10+ years

   Listed in

   Iowa, Nebraska

   Languages

   English

5. Frequently asked questions

   What kinds of concerns does Matthew address?

   He helps people dealing with addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, bipolar mood issues, stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional areas include substance use, impulsivity, and mood disorders.

   What is Matthew's general therapy style?

   His approach is collaborative and straightforward. He uses Motivational Interviewing to explore readiness for change and combines that with client-centered listening and practical skills work.

   How much experience does he have?

   Matthew has ten years of professional experience across community mental health, schools, residential substance use treatment, correctional settings, and outpatient care.

   What credentials and region apply to his practice?

   He holds LMHC and LMHP credentials and practices in Iowa. The profile lists licensing as IA LMHC and NE LMHP.

   Which languages are supported in sessions?

   Sessions are offered in English.

   Can international clients work with him?

   International clients are not accepted for services at this time.

   How are costs handled?

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

   How do I begin a therapy process?

   Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist 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

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