In the Press
Matthew has been featured in the press as a freelance writer and an expert source in national publications on topics including men's mental health, estate decisions, family boundaries, grief, emotional avoidance, and the psychology of self-protection.
Featured Bylines
Articles Matthew has written for national outlets on men's mental health, relationships, and family.
MEN'S HEALTH
Why It Feels So Hard to Give a Sh*t Right Now, According To a Therapist
By Matthew Willner | September 20, 2026
In Men's Health, Matthew discusses a pattern he sees across his practice: as AI reshapes work, people are quietly withdrawing their investment in it. The piece looks at why the numbness can be a form of self-protection, why it hits men in particular ways, and what actually restores a sense of agency and meaning.
“You can't outwork the Care Crash, but you get to decide where your care goes next.”
GQ
Your Porn Addiction Might Not Be What You Think
By Matthew Willner | September 8, 2026
In GQ, Matthew writes about why calling excessive porn use an addiction often hurts the men it claims to help, and what a more honest path looks like beyond shame.
"If you struggle to limit the amount of porn you watch, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re addicted. And that label could be holding you back from a deeper self-understanding."
Learn more about therapy for compulsive or unwanted sexual behaviors with Matthew.
The Guardian
The Men I See in Therapy Did Everything Right. So Why Do They Feel So Empty?
By Matthew Willner | August 19, 2026
In The Guardian, Matthew writes about the men who reached everything they were told to want and still feel hollow, and why that emptiness is often grief no one taught them to name.
"There's no blueprint to grieve a future that was expected to bring happiness."
Learn more about therapy for men with Matthew.
MEN'S HEALTH
Optimization Is Great. Until It Isn't.
By Matthew Willner | June 12, 2026
In Men's Health, Matthew discusses the complex relationship between constant self-improvement and emotional avoidance, offering insights into finding authentic wellness.
"Self-improvement culture has given men a socially acceptable way to stay in motion without ever pausing to look inward."
Learn more about therapy for men with Matthew.
Expert Commentary
Where reporters seek Matthew's perspective as a therapist.
Kiplinger
5 Steps to Prevent an Inheritance From Fracturing Your Family
By Diane Harris | October 6, 2026
Matthew spoke with Kiplinger for a feature on why inheritance so often divides siblings, and what families can do before it does.
"The very thing that would prevent sibling conflicts or at least lower their temperature, having an honest conversation about how parents have decided to pass on wealth and why, is the step many families skip because it can be uncomfortable and bring up old wounds no one wants to deal with."
Matthew offers specialized therapy support for those navigating family conflict, including inheritance disputes.
Moneywise
My Partner and I Broke Up, and I Moved Out of Their House — Am I Entitled to Any of Our Furniture We Both Paid For?
By AnnaMarie Houlis | October 3, 2026
In Moneywise, Matthew discussed how separating couples can divide shared furniture after a breakup, and why the fight over who keeps what is often about grief rather than money.
"A fight about a bedroom set may be less about money and more about grief, anger and sadness."
Matthew's relationship therapy offerings include expertise in conscious uncoupling and transitioning the relationship in a healthy way.
Real Simple
JOMO Is the Antidote to FOMO—Here’s How to Practice the “Joy of Missing Out”
By Ria Bhagwat | September 30, 2026
Matthew explains why the fear of missing out is a natural response to the fear of being left out, and how paying attention to both FOMO and the joy of missing out (JOMO) can reveal what you value and which relationships may no longer fit.
Allwork.Space
What’s Going On With Men And Work? Behind The Dramatic Decline In Male Workforce Participation
By Emma Ascott | September 2, 2026
Matthew adds a psychological dimension to the decline in men's workforce participation. He explains that work has long been treated as the cornerstone of male identity, so when a job disappears many men withdraw rather than search, and he highlights how AI increasingly threatens the male-dominated fields many men built their identities around.
"Work has long been the cornerstone of male identity. Men are trained to believe their worth comes from what they produce."
Learn about therapy for men with Matthew.
Moneywise
When a Divorcing Child Wants to Move Back Home
By Christy Bieber | August 2, 2026
Matthew weighs in on how a parent can support an adult child through a divorce without giving up their own retirement. He reframes the decision around boundaries and honesty, pointing out that support and shared housing are not the same thing, and that a clear no often protects the relationship better than a reluctant yes.
"Saying no with honesty is more respectful than saying a reluctant yes that quickly turns into resentment."
Moneywise
When an Inherited Heirloom Divides Siblings
By Christy Bieber | July 27, 2026
Matthew discusses the impacts of a sibling dispute over an inherited $150,000 watch. He describes the conflict as grief rather than a property fight, suggesting each sibling name what the watch represents for them before deciding anything.
"How to honor a lost loved one is one of the most complex and personal questions a person faces... I would treat this issue for what it is: grief."
Moneywise
Gifted Down Payments: When Family Support Comes with Strings
By Christy Bieber | July 19, 2026
Matthew explores the psychological burden of financial gifts from parents, providing insights on setting boundaries and maintaining emotional independence during the home-buying process.
"When I see clients considering major financial entanglement with relatives, I always urge caution and recommend setting strong and explicit boundaries."
Moneywise
The Pros and Cons of a Gift of Equity When Buying a Home
By Christy Bieber | July 18, 2026
Matthew offers psychological perspective on the complex emotional dynamics that can arise when families use equity as a financial bridge to homeownership.
"A discounted home purchase between family members is never just a real estate transaction. It’s a major shift in the family system, which could impact power and agency for those involved."
Vice
Gen Z Are ‘Solo Maxxing’ Instead of Going on Dates
By Sammi Caramela | June 2, 2026
Matthew provides expert insight on the cultural shift toward prioritizing individual growth and self-care over traditional dating habits among Gen Z.
"Whether or not the pattern is healthy really depends on the motivation. Looking inward and exploring whether independence is coming from healthy self-prioritization or avoidance is key."
Parade
The Reason Men Fall Silent in Retirement Is Actually Heartbreaking
By Lauren Wellbank | May 23, 2026
In Parade, Matthew discusses why many men withdraw emotionally in retirement and how unspoken fears and identity shifts can impact mental health.
"Many men can benefit from an entry point with some structure, whether that be therapy, peer groups, or involvement in one’s community. These tools aren’t just about coping, but about cultivating an identity that goes beyond one’s output."
Learn about therapy for men with Matthew.
Vice
How to Stop Treating Every Minor Problem Like the Apocalypse
By Sammi Caramela | April 29, 2026
This article explores why everyday stressors can feel catastrophic and how to build healthier emotional responses. Matthew shares insights on recognizing emotional avoidance and building resilience.
"For many, catastrophizing is a part that remembers times or instances of feeling powerless or blindsided, and says, ‘never again.’ Trying to rationalize these thoughts out of their self-protected role can lead to them becoming stronger, not lighter."
Learn more about IFS therapy with Matthew.