Matthew Houston Psychotherapy, LCSW

From a young age, I have been deeply curious and interested in experiencing the world around me and understanding the world of others. I was always seeking to know why we do the things we do. In pursuit of a better understanding of this question, I received an undergraduate degree in psychology, worked at the American Psychological Association, and worked with the CHEST at Hunter College. I found myself doing postgraduate studies at The New School and gaining professional experience working at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ medical centers in the United States. I also earned a master’s from New York University. My passionate curiosity has led me to attend training and workshops in a diverse tapestry of theoretical viewpoints, including cognitive behavioral, sex, somatic, psychodynamic, and psychoanalytic therapies.

I approach therapy through a psychodynamic lens, working to bolster awareness in everyday life and strengthen one's ability to respond. I work in partnership to explore the conscious and unconscious obstacles to growth and support changing unhelpful patterns that are hard to let go of. As a therapist, I work empathetically to understand the client so that the client might empathetically know themselves. My practice's heart is a commitment to creating a space where clients can identify and connect with feelings and sensations and develop a greater sense of vitality and empowerment in daily life.

I am curious by nature and a lifelong learner by practice. I read widely, drawing from art, philosophy, and science to deepen and inform my therapeutic approach. I recently finished the first training steps in somatic experiencing, which looks to integrate bottom-up processing to more fully support a mind-body connection. I will pursue training at William Alanson White Institute in their Intensive Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program in the fall.

I believe that therapy consists of three crucial components: Understanding how past experiences impact growth in the present, strengthening the muscle of awareness in daily life, and developing the ability to respond. I work with clients throughout this process to develop, strengthen, and live the values they wish to see in daily life.