ABOUT

Dr. Matthew Horner, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Before I share anything about my professional experiences, I want you to know, I’m passionate about living life well, fully, and intentionally.

As an experienced "life-liver" with a specific education to boot, I can understand many of the things you may be going through. I know what it's like to shake it up, make complex, essential, and risky decisions, and rebuild after challenges.

I know what it’s like to feel pressure and struggle to the core…

To feel sick with anxiety, to lose sleep before a big event, and to know my abilities were yet to be realized.

In fact, I’ve lived all this life, grown through this life, and professionally supported others’ healing through this process. I’ve even formally researched and analyzed it to better understand how people (just like you) can grow through their challenges.

So how did I come to be a psychologist?

I grew up with a strong, independent, and entrepreneurial side, and in my early years, I built a successful company in North Carolina. Even though the company was doing great, what I most loved was connecting with the people I hired and the customers we served. Hearing about their relationships, listening to their struggles, understanding their history, and their difficult positions in life. I found myself happily spending time and energy assisting them in their own growth process.

While running the company was my bread and butter, my passion grew increasingly into helping people meet their independent goals and thrive.

So, in 2008, wanting a new challenge and adventure, I sold the business and followed my instincts to Alaska. Of course, I got a cabin, explored Alaska’s wild offerings, and eventually started working at a youth shelter. Little did I know, I was on my way to realizing my purpose—connecting with people meaningfully and supporting their healing towards prosperous lives.

So, I started work towards my Masters Degree in Counseling.

The whole experience completely lit me up.

I was primed and prepared for the next steps…

During this time, I began providing counseling services at a local agency and continued clocking hours toward licensure. At that agency, in my first year as a therapist, I was honored to be recognized as Clinician of the Year.

One thing led to another, and I was recruited to direct the development of a community mental health center. Together with a hand-picked team, we grew the agency into a fully staffed and operational clinic, which served adolescents, adults, and families while employing multiple providers and support staff. We served individuals on an outpatient basis and also (uniquely) in their educational settings.

Starting and growing this agency was an absolute joy and the perfect challenge for me at the time.

Through this experience, I was able to hone my skills, develop my techniques, roll my master’s degree into a doctoral program, and earn a Doctorate of Psychology (with a focus on post-traumatic growth and complex interpersonal communications).

All of this led to the founding of my private practice, Contrasting Qualities, LLC. This practice allows me to live my purpose: supporting motivated people as they discover more meaningful and healthy lives.

Professionally speaking, I’m a lifer.

I'm dedicated to my profession and my clients and to making your efforts count so they lead to significant, lasting changes.

I work diligently to get you powerful and practical results as quickly as possible, which will endure your entire life and amplify your legacy.

In my psychotherapy practice, I specialize in trauma treatment, as well as coping skills, communication, relationships, and more. In this coaching and consulting space, I emphasize a more hands-on approach, and I leverage philosophy and behavioral science to propel people to the next levels of their journey and firmly support them along the process.