Therapist in Renton, Washington Matthew Boynton, Therapist

Training and Background

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington (License #LH0008737). I received my Masters of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from Seattle University in 2001 prior to receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Washington in 1997. I worked as a Clinician with Compass Health in Snohomish County and as a Teaching Assistant in Seattle University’s counseling program while obtaining my Mental Health Counseling license, received in 2003. I’ve been working in private practice since that time, initially working in association with an Employee Assistant Program for local school districts and then with River Valley Psychological Services starting in 2006. My practice has focused on providing individual counseling to children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of issues and concerns related to mental, emotional, and social health.

Through the COVID 19 pandemic and resulting quarantine dynamics, I’ve discovered great value in offering mental health counseling services virtually and have been providing Telehealth services from March 2020 to present. Many patients simply prefer the logistical ease of meeting virtually with a therapist.



Treatment Orientation

Guided by my client’s needs and issues, I use a variety of therapeutic orientations to work with each individual. My primary approach to counseling is Client-Centered, meaning emphasis is placed on creating a safe environment where clients are supported as active participants in exploring their experience in order to identify and work towards personalized goals. Following the initial evaluation and developing a collaborative relationship, I draw on a variety of therapeutic orientations including Solution Focused therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, and Mindfulness-based interventions to support patients with working on an individualized treatment plan. My practice focuses on treatment with clients, ages 13 and up, facing a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, loss and grief, low self-esteem, life transitions, relationship issues, and healing from past trauma. I encourage you to ask questions about your treatment, my training and approach, and your progress in therapy. I encourage transparency in the treatment process to ensure you are feeling heard and that your needs are being met. It’s important to the client-counselor relationship that we acknowledge and discuss progress as well as dissatisfaction in the therapeutic process.