Matthew Durney

I am a father, a husband, and a mental health therapist. I received my training as a counselor from Gannon University. I have a master of science in counseling as well as a master of arts in pastoral studies.

​

I began my career as a college campus minister before eventually transitioning to working in secondary education as a teacher that also provided educational and pastoral guidance. After that I transformed my career again to focus solely on providing counseling services for patients with severe trauma.

My experience in helping youth, college students, and under-served populations has formed me into the counselor I am today. I have spent my career helping clients through painful trauma, meeting them where they are at, and walking with them on their road to healing.

​

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). I specialize in working with children and adults in a trauma-informed perspective.

​

I am trained in both EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy for all types of trauma and Attachment Based Family Therapy which focuses on parents and children dealing with suicidality and self harm. I have extensive experience in working with victims of sexual abuse. I also have experience using play with children as a way to heal and cope.

I believe that people have the innate ability to grow and change. And that the counselor's role is to help clients form a foundation in which they will be able to heal and grow into the people that they want to be.

I believe that everyone is shaped and formed by their experiences and sometimes people need help in understanding, processing, and integrating those experiences into their daily life in healthier ways.

My perspective in part comes from a trauma lens. Not in viewing people by "what is wrong with them". But in believing that everyone has the ability to move forward from the experiences they have lived through.

Clients will also be treated with respect and dignity. Clients should feel free to be angry, funny, or any other disposition that facilitates growth. But clients should also expect to be challenged to reach their goals through motivation and gaining insight into their situation. People should always walk away knowing that they are heard, understood, and are on a path toward reaching their goals.