Matt Donovan
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, I'm Matt,
My approach to therapy is warm, genuine and down to earth. I see therapy as a shared journey, where we move forward together, side by side, grounded in trust and mutual understanding.
I offer you a heartfelt commitment to walk beside you as you find and navigate your own path; working together to make sense of your experiences and what is happening in your life.
> I understand that if you’re looking for a therapist, it’s because life isn’t where you’d like it to be. If you’re struggling emotionally, it makes sense that you’d want debilitating, harrowing feelings to go away.
I also know that the idea of “listening to what your feelings have to say” might sound like ‘touchy feely,’ impractical advice; But what if—just for a moment—you considered this: what if those same heavy, harrowing feelings could hold the key to a more empowered, freer version of yourself?
--- An Existential approach to therapy understands these feelings as a reflection of your story and the beliefs you’ve come to hold about yourself and the world around you:
But here’s the thing: the way we relate to the world—our ‘stance’ toward life—often goes unexamined and remains largely a mystery to us.
How you feel in any given moment, whether it’s joy, sadness, anxiety, anger or indifference can actually be a gateway to uncovering this mystery. Your emotions are signposts, offering insight into the deeper relationship you have with yourself and the world around you.
In this way, difficult even harrowing emotions become key to our understanding of where we are in our lives and the beliefs we hold about ourselves.
In our sessions, we'll work together to understand your stance towards life and decide if it aligns with your current needs and desires.
You may come to see how many of the problems of living; unwillingness to trust or rely on others, avoiding intimacy, catastrophizing, aggressiveness, defensiveness, social isolation or people pleasing, are actually strategies you’ve developed to navigate this life. Strategies you may decide no longer serve you! --- Opening the door to living more fully and freely.
Simply put, existential therapy isn’t about “fixing” you, it's about listening to your gut and your heart and helping you find clarity and a direction that's right for you
>If any of this resonates with you and you feel this approach is something that could work for you or you would like to hear more about then please do give me a call or send me an e-mail without obligation.
Also please do check out my website. I explain this and much more about an existential approach to therapy and what that could mean for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
- UKCP Accredited Existential Psychotherapist
- Highly Specialist Psychotherapist in Palliative and Cancer Care- NHS Psycho-Oncology service (Cancer & Family support)
- (Doctorate Level)-Advanced Diploma Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling (Regent’s College, London)
- Post-Graduate Diploma. Psychotherapy and Counselling (Regent’s College, London)
- Post Graduate Cert. Psychotherapy and Counselling (Regent’s College, London)
- Member College of Existential and Constructivist Psychotherapies
- Member Society of Existential Analysis
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Living with chronic illness
Living with cancer
Oncology
Palliative Care
Bereavement
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 - £80.00
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
I am committed to the process of continual professional development and abide by the code of ethics and practice of the UKCP. I have full professional indemnity insurance and attend regular supervision with a UKCP accredited supervisor.
When I work
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