Matthew Gahagan

My name is Matthew Gahagan and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). I am located in the East Bay Area, CA and I serve clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in depression, anxiety, and stress. I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and solutions-focused approaches to help my clients reach their goals.

My approach

I use an Integrative Therapy approach with my clients which allows me to pull different interventions from a number of theoretical orientations to best serve my clients where they are. Some of the different theoretical orientations I find myself utilizing include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-centered Therapy, Solutions-focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I understand that clients may be in different places with life’s challenges and pulling from different theoretical orientations allows me to more individually personalize the most appropriate interventions.

My focus

I have experience with many client populations, but I find myself mostly working with adults (18 years of age or older) working through situational challenges, life transitions, and functional impairment in their day-to-day lives. Symptoms that may arise during challenging times in life often present as depression, anxiety, stress, fear, and discomfort.

My communication style

My communication style is empathetic, direct, and understanding. My goal is for my clients to be heard and understood. I make my best effort to create a space where my clients can share without fear of judgment and know that I understand they are the masters of their life experiences.

My journey to mental healthcare

Throughout my life, I found great meaning in understanding and helping others. While in high school and early college, I looked for a career in which I could work with others and come alongside those moving through life’s challenges. After finishing a bachelor's degree in Psychology, I moved right into a graduate program to gain the knowledge and training necessary to enter the field of therapy. I feel truly grateful to work in a field where our goal really is to make a difference.

My goals for you

When clients create goals with me, I feel it is very important to know where my client would like to be and what specific, realistic, and attainable steps we can take to get there. Creating clearly defined goals that are achievable is an important part of empowering my clients to take on challenges and make changes that will improve their lives.

My first session with you

During our first session, you can expect me to ask questions and listen to you. I hope to get to know you, why you are seeking therapy, and where you would like to be when you finish therapy. When meeting you for the first time I try to connect with you and understand how you have been feeling. In doing so I work to create a clinical picture of your life and how the challenges you come to therapy with can be best addressed.