Matthew @ The mend

Life has a way of throwing curveballs—some manageable, some that knock the wind out of you. You might feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like you are functioning on autopilot. From the outside, things may look fine. On the inside, it’s a different story.

Therapy is a place to slow things down and take an honest look at what’s going on—without pretending, performing, or trying to have the “right” answer.

I was born in Bangladesh and adopted at eight months old, growing up across North Carolina before finally settling in the mountains I now call home.

Before becoming a therapist, I lived a few different lives—working in specialty retail, set decoration for TV and film, and owning and operating a catering company for over 20 years. I have also coached Division I athletes, which gave me a front-row seat to pressure, performance, and the internal narratives that tend to run the show when no one’s watching.

In my early 50s, life forced a hard reset. A significant health challenge took me out of my business and into a year of physical recovery and healing. While my medical care was excellent, the mental health support? Not so much. That gap stuck with me.

So, I went back to school. Not what I had planned, but apparently what I was meant to do.

I bring a mix of clinical training and life experience to the room. As a gay man, I understand what it feels like to navigate identity, belonging, and spaces where you don’t always feel fully seen. That perspective continues to shape the way I connect with clients and show up in this work. My style is relational, honest, and direct, and my work is grounded in curiosity, honesty, and acceptance, while always leaving room for humor, humanity, and real-life complexity.

Therapy should never feel one-size-fits-all. The work we do will be tailored to you—not a script.

We’ll be honest about what’s happening—and practical about what comes next. Together, we’ll work to understand patterns, challenge what isn’t working, and build tools that translate into your day-to-day life. 

  I tend to work well with adults who are:

• Feeling stuck, restless, or quietly dissatisfied (even if things “look fine” on paper) 
• Navigating life transitions or unexpected curveballs 
• High-achieving, self-aware, and maybe a little too good at overthinking 
• Former athletes or high performers trying to figure out “what now?” 
• Processing the emotional side of medical challenges—for themselves or someone they love 
• Exploring identity, including LGBTQIA+ experiences 
• Looking for a therapist who is real, engaged, and not afraid to be direct