Matthew Teal LCSW, CASAC

Matt enjoys treating depression, anxiety, substance abuse, life transitions, stress. He has been especially successful with clients who work in helping professions (e.g. therapists, nurses, first responders), people who struggle with substance use, and veterans. Matt uses what research and professional experience have taught him is most helpful in treating their symptoms and combines that with your own unique strengths and supports. ​You will find his approach to be very down-to -earth and professional. He believes in the importance of humor and compassion as part of therapy. Also he relies on the client to set the pace for what is worked on in sessions. Finally he is a firm believer in transparency in therapy; meaning he will share with you why he is asking about certain things or bringing up certain ways of coping. Often times clients have had the same conversation with themselves and loved ones over and over again. He enjoys finding a way to have a different conversation about what is happening in that person's life or in relationship to their drug or alcohol use. Matt has over 20 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field. He has extensive experience in motivational interviewing and mindfulness self compassion. His background includes serving as the Clinical Lead Therapist for outpatient programs at the Rochester and Canandaigua VA clinics. Matt's experience includes working in every level of substance abuse treatment there is; from detoxification to outpatient (aftercare) counseling. He has also served as a therapist treating employees and their family members at a large local teaching hospital and medical center. In addition to his clinical practice he currently teaches Masters level courses at two area colleges.