Matthew Carleton, LMSW

Matthew Carleton is a licensed social worker who provides individual therapy in Michigan. He focuses on relationship concerns, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and problems that come after life changes. Matthew often helps people dealing with anger, addictions, trauma, and the strain of parenting. He has particular experience with issues like abandonment, attachment difficulties, blended family struggles, and jealousy.

Matthew uses straightforward, talk-based sessions to help clients spot unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address patterns that feed anxiety and depression. He also uses elements of the Gottman Method when relationship patterns and communication are central to the work.

He has about seven years of experience providing individual therapy, and longer involvement running groups focused on relationships and domestic violence. His background means he is used to discussing difficult topics calmly and directly. Sessions are practical and goal-focused, with time spent on skills you can use between meetings.

Matthew explains ideas plainly and helps people set small, realistic steps to change. He supports work on issues like impulsivity, body image, smoking or vaping cessation, and finding a clearer life direction. Conversations are aimed at making everyday life more manageable.

People who want to begin work with him start by answering a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions based on availability. He works in English and practices in Michigan as an LMSW.

How CBT and the Gottman Method inform online work

Matthew commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method to guide online conversations. CBT focuses on identifying and testing thoughts that increase anxiety or depression, then trying concrete behavior changes. It can help with worry, low mood, impulsivity, and habit changes like smoking or vaping cessation.

The Gottman Method looks at how people communicate and manage conflict, and offers tools to reduce repeated patterns that harm relationships. It is used when interaction patterns or trust issues are central to the problem being addressed.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Matthew will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then suggest which methods to try. That choice can change over time based on what is helping and what feels doable.

The practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and avoiding travel time. If you plan to try online work, confirm the specific session formats available before booking, since the original profile does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to maintain regular check-ins, try brief skill-practice between appointments, and keep momentum while managing everyday responsibilities.