Matthew "Matt" Forbes

Matthew "Matt" Forbes is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Utah with nine years of experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, and challenges around identity and relationships. Matt aims to make the first step toward change feel manageable rather than overwhelming.

He keeps the room straightforward and nonjudgmental. Conversations focus on what is happening now and what practical steps a person can try between sessions. Matt listens for the patterns that make daily life harder and then helps people test different ways of responding.

Matthew uses strategies drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify thoughts and behaviors that fuel anxiety or anger. He also brings ideas from Existential Therapy to help people consider meaning, values, and life direction. These approaches inform gentle problem solving and clearer decision making.

Clients often come for help with relationship or intimacy-related concerns, parenting stresses, career pressure, or feelings of isolation and shame. He also supports people working through family of origin issues, fatherhood concerns, and questions about gender and sexuality.

Matt encourages small, sustainable changes. He works with each person to set realistic goals and to track progress. The emphasis is on practical tools, honest conversation, and building confidence to handle life's next steps.

Using CBT and Existential Ideas in Online Therapy

Matthew blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy in ways that translate well to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety, anger, and low mood. It is practical and often involves homework between sessions to try small changes. Existential Therapy encourages people to talk about values, life direction, and meaning when facing big transitions or identity questions. It helps people clarify what matters and make choices that fit their values.

Finding the best approach is a team effort. The therapist will discuss goals, try approaches, and adjust methods based on what feels most useful. This collaborative process helps ensure the plan fits a person's needs and preferences rather than following one fixed method.

Because the exact session formats were not specified in the biography, confirm available options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and help therapy fit around school, work, or parenting duties. It can also allow for shorter check-ins or sessions that avoid travel time, which many people find helpful when trying to keep consistent progress.