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Dr Matthew Ireland
MSc, PhD, PGDip (Existential Psychotherapy), MUKCP (Accred).

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About me

Do you feel like you’re performing your life instead of living it? Maybe everything looks fine on the outside, but inside you feel stuck, anxious or lost – like you're going through the motions without knowing who you are or what you actually want, or why.

You’re not alone in feeling this way.

You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from working with me. I specialise in helping people who often start therapy feeling conflicted – outwardly successful but disconnected, stuck or sensing that something’s missing. Many are dealing with change or uncertainty in their personal or professional lives. Others describe feeling numb inside, struggling with shame, burn out or caught in patterns they don’t fully understand. Some they feel like they’ve been performing for so long, they’ve lost touch with who they really are.

Existential psychotherapy isn't about diagnosing or fixing – it's a personalised way of helping you better understand yourself and make conscious choices about your future. Together, we'll examine what's actually happening beneath the surface, identify where your life feels misaligned with who you want to be, and possible changes you might make. We'll look at your values, relationships and sense of self – and build clarity about what you want your life to look like moving forward and how you might achieve it.

 

I enjoy building relationships with clients from all backgrounds as two real people having a straightforward conversation – nothing detached, clinical or airy-fairy. This makes it easier to talk openly about what's actually going on without fear of judgment or pressure to be someone you're not.

I see clients in-person at Headroom Forest Hill, with no minimum commitment. Email me with questions (I usually reply within 24 hours) or book a free 20-minute consultation via my website www.rethink-your-self.com.  We'll talk about what's going on for you, how I work, and whether this makes sense as a next step. No pressure or obligation to continue.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

I'm a UKCP-registered existential psychotherapist with a varied career that helps me spot and suggest things others might miss.

  • PhD in neuroscience, grounding me in how we think and behave the way we do

  • MSc and PGDip in Existential Psychotherapy, which helps me understand how people become stuck, find meaning and can change

  • Postgraduate research into shame, masculinity, identity and pornography use, which informs my work with clients navigating emotional disconnection and self-worth

  • A background in high‑pressure creative and professional environments, offering insight into the emotional cost of performance and ambition – and how they can be re‑oriented toward a more authentic life

  • Supervision and tutoring for doctoral psychotherapy students, which keeps me up-to-date with new thinking

  • A commitment to personal development – both for me and my clients.

While my experience informs my work, I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds who seek meaning, clarity, and a more authentic way of living.

Member Organisations
  • UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) - Accredited Member
  • Society for Existential Analysis (SEA)
  • British Psychological Society (BPS)
Specialisms

I specialise in helping people from all backgrounds seeking authenticity, meaning and purpose. We'll explore the deeper questions behind your problems - not just what's happening, but where it comes from and what it means to you. I'll help you move towards living life with more direction, presence, and self-respect.

If you feel I might be the right person to support you, even if your particular problem isn't mentioned here, feel free to get in touch so we can explore this together.

Services Offered
  • Existential therapy

  • Person-centred therapy

  • Existential coaching

Fees

Sessions are £110, with no minimum commitment. I offer discounts for blocks of 6 sessions booked and paid in advance, and occasionally have a limited number of lower-cost or bi-weekly sessions available to those in financial difficulty who feel they would particularly benefit from working with me. I use recurring calendar invites and a one-click payment link to make the process as smooth and low-effort for you as possible. The introductory call focuses on understanding what's brought you here and how we might work together – you decide after that whether to continue.

Qualifications
  • PhD in Neuroscience - Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London

  • MSc in Psychotherapy (Distinction) - New School of Counselling & Psychotherapy

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy - Existential Academy

  • BSc (Hons) First Class in Neuroscience - University of Nottingham

Professional Memberships

UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) - Full Clinical Member

Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association (UPCA) - Accredited Clinical Member

Association for Coaching - Member

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