Matthew Carleton, LMSW

Matthew Carleton is a licensed social worker in Michigan who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, and midlife concerns. He has seven years of experience providing individual therapy and over a decade running groups related to domestic violence and relationship topics. He speaks English and uses straightforward, practical language in sessions.

Matthew focuses on helping clients notice and change thought patterns that feed anxiety and low mood. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. He also draws on the Gottman Method for relationship work to help people build clearer communication and manage conflict more effectively.

Sessions tend to be direct and goal-oriented. Matthew encourages people to try small, manageable changes between meetings and to track what helps. He aims to create a calm space where clients can sort through decisions, handle life transitions, and work on self-esteem or addiction concerns.

His background includes both individual and group work, with many years addressing domestic violence and relationship dynamics. That experience informs how he approaches safety, boundaries, and rebuilding trust within relationships.

People often come for help with parenting stress, career uncertainty, coping with loss, or feelings tied to abandonment and attachment. Matthew works with these issues through practical strategies and collaborative planning to move toward clearer goals.

How Matthew Uses CBT and the Gottman Method Online

Matthew commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and elements of the Gottman Method in his work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression, and it often includes practical exercises to try between sessions. The Gottman Method concentrates on communication skills, managing conflict, and rebuilding connection, which can help people navigating relationship strain or separation.

Finding the right approach usually happens together. He works collaboratively with clients to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and comfort level. The plan can change over time as progress and priorities shift, so clients help shape the focus of therapy.

Session formats are not specified here, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce commute time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules demand it. It can also let people practice skills in everyday settings and bring current relationship challenges into discussion more readily.