Therapist profile
Matthew Dugan, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor - Family and parenting concerns
Continue with MatthewAbout
- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- EMDR for trauma
About Matthew
Matthew Dugan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina with 23 years of experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy issues, anger, self-esteem struggles, career questions, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue. He also focuses on abandonment, codependency, communication and control issues, domestic violence, substance misuse, and gender dysphoria.
Matthew takes a straightforward, conversational approach in sessions. He uses practical techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to help people change unhelpful patterns. He also draws on client-centered methods, EMDR for trauma work, and mindfulness practices when these fit a person's goals.
He has a master's degree in counseling from Webster University and longstanding experience in behavioral health settings. Over his career he has helped people manage serious and persistent mental illness and substance use concerns, and he has worked with many who struggle with trauma and mood disorders. His professional background includes addiction-focused work and crisis counseling.
In therapy he aims to reduce suffering and help people build a more manageable life. Sessions tend to focus on clear skills, coping strategies, and steps toward better daily functioning. The tone is direct and practical, with attention to real-life problems at home and at work.
People from the LGBTQ+ community may find his personal perspective relevant when discussing identity and coming out. He offers English-language services based in South Carolina and uses evidence-based tools matched to individual needs.
How sessions work
How his approaches work in online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and responding to what a person says. It aims to make sessions feel like a collaborative conversation and supports people in finding their own solutions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks down thoughts and behaviors into manageable pieces and teaches tools to shift patterns that maintain anxiety, depression, or relationship conflict. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, which can help with intense emotions and recurring relationship conflicts.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Matthew will discuss goals, needs, and preferences and suggest methods that match those priorities. That means trying out techniques together and adjusting the plan if something does not fit. The process is collaborative rather than fixed.
The biography does not list which online session formats are available here, so please confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit check-ins into a busy day, reduce travel time, or use a shorter live session when schedules are tight. If video is difficult, many therapists offer phone or messaging alternatives; check which of those formats are offered before you schedule.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
South Carolina
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting concerns does he address?
He helps people work through family problems, communication issues, divorce and separation, and parenting strain as individual concerns.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses practical, skills-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy with a client-centered stance.
How much experience does he have?
He has 23 years of experience working in behavioral health and addiction treatment settings.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) practicing in South Carolina.
Does he offer sessions in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients.
How are fees and billing handled?
Fees vary with location and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session with him?
Select the "See online therapy options" button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.