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LCSW

Matthew English, LCSW

  • Experience8 years
  • LocationIllinois
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, LGBT, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Matthew

Matthew English is a licensed clinical social worker who integrates Internal Family Systems with evidence-based therapies to help clients navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, and questions around identity and sexuality.

Background and approach

He draws on eight years of clinical practice in Illinois and brings a gentle, experiential stance influenced by his background as a yoga instructor and counselor. That combination encourages present-moment awareness and practical skills for emotion regulation and self-reflection.

He frames therapy as a collaborative process focused on uncovering strengths, clarifying values, and building sustainable coping strategies. Sessions often include attention to breath and embodied noticing alongside structured interventions from acceptance and commitment work, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and dialectical skills.

Matthew commonly assigns between-session exercises to practice new approaches and reviews progress nonjudgmentally to support growth in self-esteem and life purpose. Clients seeking support with depression, LGBT-related concerns, attachment difficulties, men’s issues, or experiences of abuse will find an approach that balances compassion with concrete tools.

He maintains a client-centered orientation that emphasizes personal meaning and resilience while tailoring methods to each person’s needs and goals.

Integrating internal work and skills through online therapy

Matthew uses Internal Family Systems to help clients notice and relate to different internal parts with curiosity and compassion; this approach supports people working through internal conflicts, identity questions, and the emotional fallout of trauma. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another core strand that focuses on clarifying values, making space for difficult emotions, and committing to meaningful action even when discomfort is present. Client-Centered Therapy informs the overall stance, prioritizing empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients feel heard while exploring change.

Finding the right combination of methods is part of the therapeutic process, and Matthew approaches this collaboratively. He will work with each person to identify goals, try different techniques, and adjust the plan based on what helps most. That cooperative exploration helps integrate insight with practical skills and supports steady progress over time.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it possible to schedule sessions around work and life commitments, practice skills between meetings, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are impractical. Licensed professionals can adapt these formats to suit communication preferences and therapeutic goals, helping clients access consistent support from wherever they are.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, LGBT concerns, and self-esteem issues, as well as related topics like attachment, life purpose, men’s issues, self-love, and sexuality.
What therapeutic approaches are used in sessions?
The practice draws from Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, and DBT to blend internal exploration with practical coping skills.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
He has eight years of professional experience providing clinical services in Illinois and supporting clients through a range of emotional and identity-related concerns.
What credentials and location are on record?
He is an LCSW licensed in Illinois with licence number IL LCSW 149022534 and provides services from that state.
Are services offered in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English only, and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats does he offer?
Clients may choose video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits their needs and schedule.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time to manage ongoing access and scheduling.
What do I need to do to begin working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesLife purposeMen's issuesSelf-loveSexuality

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English