Matthew Rodgers, LCSW

Matthew Rodgers is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California with five years of experience. Matthew helps people manage addictions, LGBT concerns, intimacy issues, self-esteem struggles, and major life changes. They aim to create an open, nonjudgmental space so people can speak honestly about what matters to them.

Matthew uses a down-to-earth style in sessions. Conversations focus on concrete steps and short-term goals. Matthew listens for what matters most to each person and works with them to build motivation and practical change.

Their background includes work with veterans and supporting people coping with post-traumatic stress and substance use. That work emphasized helping people regain independence and move toward goals that matter to them. Matthew also has a Master of Arts in Gerontology and knowledge of LGBTQIA+ culture and sex-related topics.

In practice Matthew draws on approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to guide sessions. These methods are used to support change, address trauma, and set achievable steps forward. Matthew tailors conversations to each person’s pace and priorities.

People who reach out can expect straightforward talk, practical goal-setting, and a focus on what will help day to day. Matthew describes therapy as a collaborative process and offers steady support while people work toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Approaches that guide online therapy

Matthew commonly uses Motivational Interviewing to help people find and strengthen their own reasons for change; this approach uses conversational techniques to build motivation and set small, manageable steps. Solution-Focused Therapy is another tool Matthew uses to identify practical solutions and immediate actions that move people toward their goals. Trauma-Focused Therapy is used when past traumatic events affect daily life, and it focuses on processing those experiences and reducing their hold on current functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Matthew will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and then decide collaboratively which methods to try. That choice can be revisited as progress is made or priorities change.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats that are currently offered before booking since the biography does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, shorten travel time, and allow for check-ins that focus on immediate goals. It can also allow people to use quieter surroundings, rely on audio-only check-ins when bandwidth is limited, or schedule sessions that fit a work break.