Matthew Higgins , BACP

Matthew Higgins became a therapist later in life, bringing decades of personal and professional experience to his work. He favours a non-judgemental, person-centred way of working that gives clients space to speak openly while he listens with empathy and without pre-conditions. This approach prioritises the client's perspective and aims to create a respectful therapeutic relationship where people can explore thoughts and feelings without fear of being labelled.

He qualified in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in 2021 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy, and his training included placements that provided 100 hours of direct client work. He continues to offer counselling through a charitable service in North Yorkshire and through a charity specialising in bereavement, and he also volunteers with the Samaritans to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts. He holds BACP membership - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which is a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Matthew works with people of all ages but often finds a particularly good fit with clients facing challenges common in later life, such as bereavement, forming new relationships after separation or loss, blending families, redundancy, career change, loneliness and isolation. He believes counselling should not be formulaic: while his training was broadly in the Carl Rogers person-centred tradition, he recognises that some people benefit from approaches that are more directional or that challenge unhelpful views and behaviours.