MEET Dr. Matt richardson
A space to slow down, get curious, and do the deeper work
Men’s Body Image and Eating Disorder Psychologist in Boston & Online Across MA, NY, ME, and FL
I work with driven men who…
• Push themselves hard and still feel like it’s never enough.
• Carry a lot of anxiety beneath the surface, even when their lives look successful from the outside.
• Have a hard time letting people really know them and feel stuck or disconnected in their relationships.
• Struggle with their body, food, or exercise and feel ashamed or alone in it.
• Are gay or bisexual and feel pressure to be attractive, confident, and put together, even when they don’t feel that way inside.
• Are successful in their careers but feel exhausted, restless, or unsure what it’s all for.
• Notice that their past still shows up in the present, shaping how they see themselves and how close they let others get.
MY APPROACH
You’re not in this alone anymore.
I show up as a human first and a therapist second. You’ll find a warm, easygoing space where you can be fully yourself without judgment. From there, I take time to really understand the layers of your story, including the experiences and relationships that shaped the way you move through the world today.
Together, we’ll get curious about the different parts of you. The driven part that keeps pushing. The anxious part that won’t let you slow down. The protective parts that learned, often early on, how to keep you safe, even if their strategies no longer work as well as they once did. Rather than trying to fix or get rid of these parts, we work to understand them, build trust, and create more space for choice and flexibility in your life.
I’m collaborative and clear in how I communicate, and I’ll gently name the patterns I see while staying attuned to your pace. You can expect honest conversation, meaningful insight, and grounded support as you move toward a version of yourself that feels more connected, steady, and authentic.
I draw from the following modalities:
-
IFS therapy helps you get to know the different “parts” of yourself, especially the ones that feel stressed, protective, or hurt. We approach each part with compassion so you can understand why it shows up and what it needs. This gentle, grounding approach often leads to more inner harmony and a stronger sense of self. Many people find this work surprisingly comforting, like finally making sense of their inner world.
-
Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand the deeper patterns that shape how you think, feel, and relate to others. We explore your past and present experiences with curiosity so you can see yourself more clearly. As old narratives shift, you often feel more grounded, self-aware, and free to make choices that truly fit who you are. This approach creates space for long-lasting change by helping you understand the “why” beneath your struggles.
-
Interpersonal Process Therapy focuses on how you relate to other people in your life and what happens between us in the therapy room. Often, the way you show up in our work together reflects patterns that also show up in your relationships outside of therapy. By noticing these moments in real time, we can slow them down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and try new ways of connecting. Many people find this leads to more confidence, stronger boundaries, and relationships that feel more secure and genuine.
I also have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and may incorporate elements of these approaches when helpful.
Therapy with me is
-
A space where you can feel seen, respected, and understood.
-
I’ll show up with you in the work, ask thoughtful questions, and provide honest reflections.
-
Insight matters, but so does what happens outside the therapy room. We pay attention to patterns and work toward shifts that show up in your relationships and daily life.
-
You’re not just paying for time, you’re investing in a psychologist with specialized training and a deep understanding of the issues you’re facing. This is work I genuinely care about and enjoy, and that expertise and passion shape how we work together.
-
A strong therapeutic relationship is essential to this work. Patterns in how you relate, protect yourself, or hold back can emerge in the room. Noticing and working with those moments supports meaningful change.
-
Therapy focuses on understanding what you do well and how those strengths can support meaningful change. Even patterns that feel unhelpful often started as ways of coping.
-
Therapy with me is grounded in an understanding of how power, oppression, and inequality shape mental health. I practice from an antiracist, fat-affirming, HAES-aligned perspective that honors your lived experience.
-
We look at how family, relationships, culture, and social expectations influence your mental health. Change often happens when those dynamics are named and understood.
Therapy with me isn’t
-
I’m a non-diet and HAES-aligned provider. In other words, I don’t focus on appearance or diet goals and fully reject diet culture and weight stigma.
-
Real change unfolds over time, not in a few sessions. My practice is a better fit for people seeking longer-term work rather than short-term therapy.
-
Therapy with me works best for people who feel willing to show up with curiosity and openness, even when the work feels challenging. Clients who get the most out of therapy with me come to sessions prepared, reflective, and motivated to make real changes in their lives.
-
This work isn’t focused on managing symptoms in isolation. If you’re looking for brief strategies without exploring the bigger picture, this may not be the right fit.
-
Therapy with me goes beyond brief updates or surface-level processing. It’s intended for people who want to engage more deeply and work toward lasting change.
-
Therapy with me isn’t about reshaping yourself to meet someone else’s expectations. The focus is on understanding what you want and need, not performing change for others.
-
My work is not detached or purely clinical. I believe the therapeutic relationship matters deeply, and that lasting progress comes from trust, collaboration, and feeling genuinely understood.
-
This work involves emotional awareness and honest reflection over time. Therapy with me asks for a willingness to notice, name, and sit with feelings as they arise, even when that feels uncomfortable. If you’re hoping to stay disconnected from your emotional experience or avoid deeper exploration, this approach may not be the right fit.
I can also help you with…
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship issues
Big life changes
Trauma
Identity development
Self-esteem
Acute, prolonged, and anticipatory grief
-
Outside of work, I usually have an audiobook or podcast playing. Sometimes it’s related to therapy, but more often it’s a horror or thriller novel. I enjoy hiking, exploring new places, being near the water, and getting away for the occasional weekend to reset. I live with two very curious cats who love to supervise my telehealth sessions. If we work together, you’ll probably meet them!
-
Massachusetts: PSY10001022
Maine: PS2698
New York: 028040
Florida: TPPY2995 (Registered telehealth provider)
-
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
University of KentuckyM.S. in Counseling Psychology
Salem State UniversityB.A. in Psychology
Westfield State UniversityMy dissertation research focused on body image in gay & bisexual men.
-
My training included intensive study of eating disorders and body image, along with outpatient therapy experience and supervision in this area. I’ve worked in group practices, university counseling centers, community mental health, and hospital settings, supporting adults with complex and overlapping concerns.
As an independent practitioner, I stay closely engaged with current research and books on eating disorders, regularly attend advanced clinical trainings, and participate in ongoing peer consultation and supervision to ensure my work remains ethical and evidence based.
-
Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA)
More About Me
