Matt Johnson, LMFT
Based in Maryville, TN
Online therapy across Tennessee and California
ADHD • Couples Therapy • EMDR • Anxiety
Faith & Doubt • Ministry & Clergy Support
Licensed in Tennessee (#2761) & California (#159682)
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Marriage & Family Therapy (Azusa Pacific University)
Specialized Training & Background:
Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1
Certified PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator
Ordained Minister (Christian Churches)
There's more than one way to look at life's challenges.
Sometimes we're so close to our struggles that it's difficult to see another way forward. I bring more than clinical training to our conversations—years of experience, curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to explore possibilities together. Whether we're untangling something complicated or finding a practical next step, my goal is to help you discover something useful and meaningful along the way.
We Might Be a Good Fit If…
You want someone who genuinely listens but isn't afraid to offer a different perspective.
You appreciate compassion and understanding without feeling judged or talked down to.
You're curious about why certain patterns keep showing up in your life or relationships.
You want more than a place to vent—you'd also like practical ideas and insights to take into your week.
You appreciate a little creativity, honest conversation, and maybe even some humor along the way.
Life is messy.
Keep flourishing!
Areas I work with
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Working with your brain instead of constantly fighting it.
Are you tired of knowing what you need to do but struggling to actually do it? Maybe you're constantly overwhelmed, frustrated with yourself, or wondering why things that seem easy for other people feel so difficult.
I take a neurodivergent-affirming approach to ADHD. Together, we'll explore how your brain works, understand the patterns that keep getting in your way, and develop practical strategies that fit your life. The goal isn't to make you think like everyone else. It's to help you flourish as yourself.
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Getting unstuck from the same arguments and painful patterns.
Do you ever feel like you're having the same argument over and over, just about different things? Maybe one of you feels unheard while the other feels criticized, or you've become so focused on defending yourselves that it's difficult to feel connected.
I help couples slow down, understand what's happening beneath their conflicts, and find healthier ways to communicate and reconnect. Drawing from Gottman-informed and attachment-based approaches, we'll work toward something more meaningful than simply arguing less: understanding each other better and making room for both people in the relationship.
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When your mind won't let you rest.
Do you find yourself overthinking conversations, anticipating problems, or feeling responsible for things outside your control? Maybe you know your worries aren't always reasonable, but knowing that doesn't make them stop.
We'll explore what's driving your anxiety, how it affects your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, and what you can do differently. My approach combines practical tools with a deeper understanding of the patterns beneath the worry, helping you respond to life with greater flexibility and confidence.
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When the past keeps showing up in the present.
Sometimes you understand exactly why something bothers you, but that understanding doesn't change how you feel. A memory, relationship, or experience may continue to trigger reactions that seem bigger than the situation in front of you.
I'm trained in Attachment-Focused EMDR, an approach that can help people process distressing experiences and the emotional patterns connected to them. We'll work together to determine whether EMDR is appropriate for you, moving at a pace that respects your needs and helps you feel supported throughout the process.
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A place for questions that don't have easy answers.
What happens when the beliefs that once gave you comfort start raising more questions than answers? Maybe you're wrestling with doubt, struggling with painful church experiences, or trying to understand how your faith fits with who you're becoming.
With my background in ministry and psychotherapy, I understand that faith can be deeply meaningful and deeply complicated. I offer a space where you can explore your questions honestly, without judgment or pressure to arrive at a particular conclusion. The goal isn't to tell you what to believe. It's to help you make sense of your experiences and discover what matters to you.
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You can love your calling and still struggle with the people, politics, and pressures that come with it.
Whether you're a pastor, ministry staff member, or volunteer leader, ministry brings unique challenges—and opportunities for growth. With over 25 years of experience leading ministries in churches large and small, I understand the complexities of church leadership, staff relationships, and working with volunteers.
Together, we can explore your strengths, navigate challenging dynamics, and find creative, practical ways to grow as a leader and flourish in your calling.
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There’s more to your story than what you’re struggling with.
One of my favorite perspectives comes from Father Gregory Boyle, who encourages us to stand in awe of what people carry rather than in judgment of how they carry it. That shapes how I approach therapy—with curiosity about what you’ve been through, what matters to you, and how you’ve found your way through life’s messier moments.
I want our conversations to be a place where you feel understood and can explore something useful. Together, we can make sense of your experiences, recognize patterns, and discover new ways forward.
Sometimes that means exploring something deeply personal. Other times, it means finding a practical next step, considering a different perspective, or sharing a laugh along the way.
My hope is that you leave with something meaningful to carry into your week—a little more clarity, a new insight, or a practical way to approach whatever comes next.
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I’ve worn a few different hats over the years—pastor, therapist, camp staff, event planner, and occasionally the guy willing to make a fool of himself for a good cause.
For more than 25 years, I’ve worked alongside people through meaningful, complicated, and unexpected moments. From small churches to large communities, from family celebrations to seasons of loss and uncertainty, those experiences have shaped how I understand people, relationships, faith, and the wonderfully messy business of being human.
My journey from ministry into marriage and family therapy has given me an appreciation for both the practical and deeper questions of life. Experience hasn’t given me all the answers, but it has helped me recognize when to ask a thoughtful question, offer a different perspective, or simply sit with someone in the uncertainty.
Outside of therapy, I love spending time with my family, hiking in Yosemite and the Great Smoky Mountains, and playing complicated board games that I’m not nearly as good at as I’d like to be. I’m naturally curious, enjoy a good conversation, and appreciate a little humor along the way.
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Tennessee
Based in Maryville, serving clients throughout Tennessee.
Wilderness Wellness → (coming soon)
California (Telehealth Only)
Online psychotherapy for clients located throughout California.
Coaching — Worldwide
Coaching for personal growth, life transitions, faith, relationships, and ministry leadership. A place to explore your strengths, navigate challenging dynamics, and find practical ways forward—available wherever you are.
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Private Pay
Individual Therapy — $150 per session
Individual Coaching — $150 per session
Couples/Relationship Therapy — $175 per session
Extended Couples/Relationship Therapy — $250 per session
Speaking & Workshops — Rates Vary
Available for churches, organizations, schools, and community groups. Contact Matt for availability and pricing.
Insurance
I accept select plans through Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Medicare, TRICARE, and UnitedHealthcare (UHC).Need a little flexibility?
I keep a limited number of reduced-fee spaces available when possible.
Wondering if we'd be a good fit?
Let's start with a conversation. We can talk about what you're looking for, answer your questions, and see whether working together feels right.