LGBT therapists in Burke, VA

Matt is a veteran of the mental health industry with 20+ years of progressive experience. Practicing from a cultural-relational perspective, he believes in everyone's potential for greatness.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

Well hello there, here at On The Right Path, PLLC, we strive to guide you on your journey. Whether small or big we can work toward your goals together. I have had the honor of being invited into the lives of many clients with various backgrounds. I have worked with clients living with depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, family issues, career obstacles and much more. My therapeutic style is warm, empathetic, authentic and professional.

I'm a clinical psychologist residing in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where I came to start my education in 1998 at Virginia Tech, and where I stayed to complete my graduate training at nearby Radford University. Since then, I've worked in community mental health, college counseling, and private practice, with a brief stint in neuropsychology along the way. I've also been an assistant professor at Radford and at Roanoke College. I think of myself as a generalist (meaning I like to work with a broad range of clients and issues), but have had the most experience with mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use disorders, and LGBTQ+ issues. When not practicing, I devote my time to family, dogs, video games, tabletop RPGs, cooking, and badly writing electronic music.

Great to meet you!

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, awkward, or like something you’ve been putting off for way too long—and however you’re showing up, you’re allowed to come in exactly as you are.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (practicing psychotherapy since 2022 with prior experience in HR and Coaching) who focuses on creating a space where you don’t have to filter yourself or “get it right.” If your thoughts feel all over the place, if you don’t know where to start, or if part of you is unsure this will even help—that’s okay. We’ll figure it out together.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, ADHD, depression, occupational stress, identity questions, relationship matters (kink and polyamory friendly), and feeling stuck in patterns that aren’t working anymore.

I also have experience working with more complex emotional and personality-related concerns, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). A lot of my clients are used to holding it all together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or exhausted on the inside—and are ready for something to actually shift.

My style is supportive but real. I’m here to listen, but also to help you understand what’s going on beneath the surface and start making changes that feel meaningful—not just temporary — via skills that go beyond breathwork.

I hold a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and am currently pursuing a second Master’s in Applied Psychology, which reflects my commitment to continuing to grow and deepen the way I support my clients.

Outside of therapy, I’m into houseplants, video games, and spending time with my dogs—which mostly just means I understand the need for both structure and an escape sometimes.

I have a Masters degree in Professional Counseling and am credential by The National Board of Certified Counselors. My professional background is in trauma recovery and forensic psychology, meaning I have approached trauma on from both ends of the spectrum. There is little I haven't seen or heard clinically. This allows me to remain open minded, and has given me the knowledge and experience to provide a safe, supportive space for exploration.