Matthew Higgins, BACP

Matthew Higgins became a therapist later in life, entering the profession in his late 50s and bringing a wide range of life and vocational experience to his counselling practice. He adopts a warm, non-judgemental, person-centred style that places emphasis on listening and empathising, allowing people the time and space to express themselves fully without preconditions or labels. Matthew believes the therapeutic setting should allow clients to bring their whole selves, be treated with respect and dignity, and feel that their experience is heard and understood.

He qualified in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in 2021 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy, and completed 100 hours of client work during professional placements. He continues to work within charitable services in North Yorkshire and with organisations specialising in bereavement, and he also volunteers with the Samaritans supporting people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Matthew is a member of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which indicates professional affiliation with a national counselling body.

Matthew works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, family issues, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping problems, parenting challenges, anger, career matters, bipolar mood management and coping with life changes. While he works with adults of all ages, he often finds particular affinity with more mature clients facing bereavement, new relationships after separation or loss, forming blended families later in life, redundancy, career transition, loneliness and social isolation. Although his training is rooted in Carl Rogers person-centred principles, he recognises that therapy is not formulaic and will adapt to include more directional or challenging approaches when these better serve a client’s needs.