Matthew Malouf (he/him)

The field of Counseling Psychology grew out of our understanding that mental health concerns were not always inherent pathology but rather a response to situational stressors. As a queer-identified, Arab American trained under a counseling model, I appreciate the complex intersections of privilege and oppression and the ways in which minority stress impacts individuals. I approach my work using this conceptual lens and integrate research on oppression into my interventions.

I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples and subspecialize in working with intersex individuals. I am also a member of WPATH and can assist those individuals requiring a pre-surgical assessment for gender affirming surgeries. My approach to such letters is to assume that you know yourself best (unless you are asking for assistance exploring your identity) and that my role is to focus on assessing medical decision making capacity and to advocate for medical necessity.

I use the Gottman Method in my work with couples. I appreciate both its robust research background and the clear steps it provides couples who are hoping to improve their communication. I work primarily with LGBQ couples or couples where a partner is transitioning gender expression/presentation. I do accept insurance for couples work provided this work is an appropriate intervention for one partner's mental health concern. I am also available to support couples in pre-marital counseling.

I use the Gottman Method in my work with couples and find it complements my overall theoretical orientation in that it is both relational and research-based. Sessions typically begin with an assessment process that includes a joint session and individual sessions for each partner. During this time I will also have you complete an online assessment. Following this process we will meet to identify your relationship's strengths and areas for growth and to develop a shared plan for change.

Client-centered outcomes research tells us that no specific orientation is magic; the most important factor in change is our relationship. That being said, having a common language can go a long way. I have always been drawn to Reality Therapy as it normalizes universal human needs and, in a non-judgmental way, accepts that we are all doing our best to get our needs met at any given point. Yet sometimes we need to try new things and this approach is a valuable tool for exploration.

I use the Gottman Method in my work with couples and find it complements my overall theoretical orientation in that it is both relational and research-based. Sessions typically begin with an assessment process that includes a joint session and individual sessions for each partner. During this time I will also have you complete an online assessment. Following this process we will meet to identify your relationship's strengths and areas for growth and to develop a shared plan for change.