I am a licensed professional counselor and supervisor with twenty one years' experience working with individuals with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). I am also nationally certified as a Master Addiction Counselor, and in South Carolina I am certified as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I hold a Master Degree in Counseling from Webster University (2004). Throughout my career helping others, I acquired proficiency in crisis counseling, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), trauma-informed therapies, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I regularly work with people who are coping with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, trauma conditions, and people with Borderline Personality Disorder. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am dedicated to helping others successfully navigate the coming out process and manage the unique challenges related to our community. The goal of my work with people is to reduce suffering in all its forms and help every person build a life worth living.
Professional Disclosure Statement:
Matt Dugan, MA, LPCS #7196, LPC #5264, MAC #508759, AADC #1805245
Contact Information:
Office hours: Mon-Thu 6:00p-8:00p;
Also, by appointment.
Emergency Telephone: 911
www.betterhelp.com/matthew-dugan
This statement is based upon South Carolina Code Sections 40.75.270 and 40.63.270. If you have any questions regarding the documents you have received, please feel free to discuss with me.
Educational Qualifications:
Masters in Counseling: Webster Univ., 2004
21 Years of Behavioral Healthcare experience
SC Licensed Professional Counselor
SC Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
NAADAC Master Addiction Counselor
APS Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Specialization: I am currently trained/certified in the following Best Practice Models: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Mindfulness Therapy. Please be aware that I do not offer some of these therapies via online platforms.
Services:
On the Betterhelp or Pride Counseling platform I provide asynchronous message counseling Monday through Thursday evenings 6:00p-8:00p. I respond to messages sent to me on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday on Monday. I will respond to your messages within one business day.
I also am available for live chat, phone sessions, and video sessions online. Live sessions are available by appointment (Mon-Thu evening & Sat AM). 24-hours’ notice is requested for live sessions.
Fees: Service fees are determined by your subscription with Betterhelp or Pride Counseling. If you have any questions about billing or your subscription please send your questions to contact@betterhelp.com or contact@pridecounseling.com
Confidentiality: All of our messages are stored on the secure online platform, which functions as our clinical record and is accessible to you at any time. I will keep confidential anything you say as part of our counseling relationship, with the following exceptions: (a) you direct me in writing to disclose information to someone else, (b) it is determined you are a danger to yourself or others (including child or elder abuse), or (c) I am ordered by a court to disclose information.
Ethics: I follow the Code of Ethics of the following organization with whom complaints may be filed:
The South Carolina Board of Examiners for the Licensure of Professional Counselors, 110 Centerview Dr., Suite 202, Columbia, SC 29210. Telephone: (803) 896-4665
Emergency Situations
Betterhelp and Pride Counseling are not emergency mental health service providers.
If you are in crisis or suicidal, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at +1 (800) 273-8255 or 911 which can provide you with immediate help or visit the nearest emergency room.
**Any type of sexual behavior between therapist and client is unethical. It is never appropriate and will not be condoned. **
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
SC LPC 5264
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Matthew Dugan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
He is very caring and very helpful. I have learned so much from him.
Written on Dec 22, 2021 after therapy with Matthew for 4 months
I have had an awesome experience with my counselor.
Written on Aug 25, 2021 after therapy with Matthew for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and career difficulties
I was very nervous about opening up to a stranger . Through our early messages and then video calls, I quickly realized that Matthew made the process feel a lot less scary. I feel comfortable being vulnerable with him.
Written on Jul 26, 2021 after therapy with Matthew for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, trauma and abuse, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Matt has been a wonderful resource for me during an extremely difficult time! He is understanding and provides meaningful advice when warranted. He also has a way of allowing to answer some of my own questions and guides me into making my own realizations without giving me "right or wrong" scenarios. No situation is the same, and he empathizes with my experiences without judgement.
Written on May 12, 2021 after therapy with Matthew for 2 weeks
Matthew Dugan gives a great amount of detail and comparisons that help me understand my own situation better, and also helps guide me with advice on calmness and mindful awareness.
Written on May 11, 2021 after therapy with Matthew for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse