Matthew Milstein

Relationships are a major component to our life satisfaction and they are also a major component to both our physical and emotional pain. Childhood experiences shape relationship behaviors, communication, and our ability to trust others. In counseling we focus on relationship with self, others, and the universe. I have historically worked with individuals, couples and family systems to repair relationships, maintain healthy boundaries, effectively communicate, and minimize dysfunction.

PTSD is under the umbrella of mental health issues from experiencing trauma. Individuals often struggle with a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, anxiety and states of panic, stuffing feelings, and avoidance in connecting with others. I have worked with veterans, individuals who have been abused/neglected (and often abuse themselves through self-destructive behaviors), and individuals who were in a bad accident, recovered from an illness, or observed someone else in such a situations.

As the name implies, the focus is on you. We work to remove distractions and "noise" to help you clarify what it is that you really want and how to achieve it. You are always in the spotlight. I start all therapeutic relationships with this orientation to build rapport, promote safety and acceptance, and formulate treatment directions.

DBT is fantastic for learning skills to regulate emotions and navigate through conflicts in our relationships. It works well for individuals who are highly sensitive and for those who avoid feeling their feelings. Historically I have worked with individuals where strong fluctuations in emotions have resulted in broken relationships, inability to maintain employment, self-destructive behaviors, reckless spending, and high risk encounters.

ACT focuses on mindfulness and developing the power to choose what kind of relationship you want to have with your thoughts. My original training was in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which I continue to use in certain situations. Over the years I find ACT to work really well with individuals engaging in 12-step programs, or having issues with anxiety, self-hate/inner criticism, anger, procrastination, and feeling stuck in life.