Dr Matthew Ireland, Existential Psychotherapist
Therapy for people who feel like they’re performing their life rather than living it.
Dr Matthew Ireland is an Existential Psychotherapist who works with clients to explore the fundamental questions of human existence — meaning, freedom, responsibility, and connection. His approach creates space for clients to examine their lives with clarity and depth.
About me
Do you feel stuck, lost, or like you’re living on autopilot – things look fine on the outside, but inside something feels off? Maybe you’re functioning, but not fulfilled. By pushing through, you’ve kept it from becoming a crisis. But something doesn’t quite feel right, and you find yourself wondering: is this really it?
You’re not alone in feeling this way. I work with people from all backgrounds who say things look good for them on paper, but who are quietly questioning their direction, purpose or identity. Some are dealing with uncertainty or conflict in their personal or professional lives. Others describe feeling anxious, numb or burned out, or caught in patterns they don’t fully understand. Many have lost touch with who they really are.
You don’t need to be in crisis to start. Often this work begins when life is ‘fine’ – but no longer fulfilling. Existential psychotherapy isn’t about diagnosing or fixing you. It’s a personalised way of understanding what’s going on beneath the surface, so you can make deliberate choices about your future. I see anxiety, doubt and patterns that repeat themselves not as symptoms to get rid of, but as signals pointing towards things that matter to you. We’ll look at your feelings, values, relationships and sense of self, to understand where who you are feels at odds with who you want to be. The work is about getting clarity on your answers, not mine.
I enjoy building relationships with clients 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 judgement or pressure to be someone you’re not. You don’t need all the words for what’s wrong; part of the work is finding them together. My clients often say our work feels emotionally safe as well as intellectually credible.
I see clients in person at headroom in Forest Hill and online, with no minimum commitment. The first session is a chance to talk about what’s brought you here, how I work, and whether it feels right for you – with no obligation to continue.
Qualifications
PhD in Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London (2004)
MSc Psychotherapy (Distinction), New School of Counselling and Psychotherapy/ Middlesex University (2025)
Postgraduate Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy, Existential Academy (2025)
BSc (Hons) 1st Class in Neuroscience, University of Nottingham (2000)
Member Organisations
• UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) – Fully Accredited Member • Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association (UPCA) – Accredited Clinical Member • Society for Existential Analysis (SEA) – Member • Association for Coaching – Member • Enhanced DBS certificate held
Fees
Individual psychotherapy or coaching (50 minutes): From £115
Qualifications
MSc, PhD, PGDip (Existential Psychotherapy), UKCP Accredited
Specialisms
- Existential Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Meaning & Purpose
- Anxiety
- Life Transitions
Modalities
- Existential Psychotherapy and Existential coaching
Registered with
- UKCP
Services
Last reviewed:
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