Matthew Tapia , LMFT

Matthew Tapia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings a practical, collaborative approach to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, and life transitions. With 11 years of clinical experience, he has worked directly with children, teens, and adults across a wide range of presenting issues, including autism and Asperger syndrome, depression, trauma, caregiving stress, anger, ADHD, and family conflict. His background includes roles in private practice and nonprofit mental health clinics where he served as clinician, supervisor, consultant, and trainer, and he has experience supporting crisis response and first responders.

Matthew’s therapeutic style is grounded in evidence-informed methods and a team-based mindset. He draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to tailor care to each person’s needs. He emphasizes meeting clients where they are and working together to set goals and develop workable strategies for everyday life.

In addition to his LMFT credential - a license that signals specialized training in relationship and family therapy - he is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and is licensed as a behavior analyst in Arizona. He holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University.

Matthew values practical progress and meaningful connection. He has seen firsthand how honest communication and steady effort can transform relationships and individual well-being, and he brings that belief into each therapeutic partnership.

Therapeutic approaches and how online therapy supports them

Matthew Tapia integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into his online practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action toward them while learning to accept painful thoughts and feelings - it is often useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and developing practical skills to change thinking and behavior - it can help with depression, anxiety, and coping with everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Matthew works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and circumstances. He adapts techniques as needed and combines elements from different approaches to create a tailored plan that supports progress over time.

Online therapy with Matthew can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent care from licensed professionals without needing to travel, and they support ongoing skill practice and communication between sessions.