Real change starts here–for your career, your relationships, your life.
Meet Matt Ahrens, LMFT – Serving Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and all of California.
You’ve done everything you were supposed to do. Built a career. Handled responsibilities. Checked all the right boxes. On the surface, things look fine—but beneath it, something feels off. Maybe your work doesn’t feel as fulfilling as it once did. Maybe your relationships aren’t where you want them to be. Maybe you’re wondering if the life you’ve built is actually the one you want.
You don’t need another “fix-it” strategy. You need space to step back, get perspective, and figure out what’s actually right for you.
That's where I come in.
Therapy with me isn’t just about talking—it’s about real change that impacts your career, your relationships, and your sense of purpose.
A lot of therapists can help you process emotions. But not all therapists understand the experience of men who’ve spent years doing what they thought they should—only to reach a point where they’re questioning what comes next. I do.
What sets me apart?
I get your world. I understand the pressures of responsibility, the expectations you’ve carried, and what it’s like to look successful but still feel unsure. You don’t have to explain what that’s like—I already get it.
I cut through the noise. I won’t just sit back and listen. I’ll ask the right questions, challenge you when it’s helpful, and offer insights that make a difference—while creating a space where you don’t have to prove anything.
I balance depth with action. We’ll go deeper where it matters, uncovering what’s really keeping you stuck. But we’ll also work toward tangible change, so you leave therapy with more than just new insights—you leave with a clearer path forward.
I focus on results. This isn’t just about talking through your struggles. It’s about gaining clarity, making decisions with confidence, and moving toward a life that actually feels like yours.
What clients say
Clients tell me that therapy with me feels different. It’s deep, open, and accepting—but also direct and results-driven. You won’t just be heard—you’ll be challenged, supported, and equipped with the tools to actually change your life.
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making real progress, let’s talk.
Why I do this work
Before becoming a therapist, I earned an MBA and worked in the Silicon Valley corporate world, spending years in high-responsibility environments—corporate, startups, non-profits, professional service firms, and even politics—gaining firsthand experience of what it’s like to navigate expectations, balance responsibilities, and quietly wonder if something’s missing.
I have coached executives, advised entrepreneurs, and helped professionals make career shifts, improve relationships, manage transitions, and build lives that actually work for them.
But I also know that checking more boxes doesn’t always solve the deeper questions. That’s why I became a therapist—because I wanted to help men not just perform better, but actually feel more aligned, more present, and more at home in their own lives.
Beyond my professional background, I’ve done this inner-work myself. I’ve been in men’s groups for years, studied personality psychology and the Enneagram, attended silent meditation retreats, and been in therapy as a client. I know what it’s like to pause, reflect, and make shifts that actually feel right.
All of this helps me relate to my clients in ways that most therapists can't.
You might be here for one reason – or for reasons you’re still figuring out.
Whether it’s your work, your relationships, or something harder to name – this is where we start.
Overcome career stress, burnout, and uncertainty–– gaining clarity, confidence, and direction to create a fulfilling professional life.
Relationship Therapy for Individuals
Navigate relationship challenges –– whether dating, committed, or healing from the past –– by building confidence, communication skills, and deeper emotional connection.
Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Therapy
Regain control, break free from overwhelm, and build resilience –– so you can feel more confident, grounded, and alive in your daily life.
Improve communication, resolve conflict, rebuild trust, and deepen connection, to create a stronger, more fulfilling partnership.
Training & Education
Education & Licensure:
California Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #115372
Master of Arts, California Institute of Integral Studies; Integral Counseling Psychology
Master of Business Administration, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science, Economics, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Trainings & Certifications:
Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Hakomi
Sensorimotor Psychology
Coaching, Leadership, and the Enneagram
The Enneagram, CoActive Coaching, CoActive Leeadership, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treating Obsessive Cumpulsive Disorder, Hakomi & Sensorimotor Psychology
Additional Positions Held:
Certification Coach & Supervisor: The Narrative Enneagram
Coach & Consultant: Arborvitae Consulting, LLC
Core Values that Guide my Practice
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Lasting change comes from understanding the deeper patterns that shape your life—but insight alone isn’t enough. Therapy should also offer practical strategies that help you make real, meaningful progress in your relationships, career, and overall well-being.
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Therapy is a place where you don’t have to perform, impress, or have it all figured out. I offer a supportive, open space where you can explore challenges honestly, without fear of judgment.
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Many people feel trapped in cycles of stress, frustration, or doubt, but these patterns don’t have to define you. Therapy helps uncover why they exist and how to break free, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
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Understanding the past is important, but therapy isn’t just about processing—it’s about progress. My approach blends depth therapy and outcome-focused strategies to help you take tangible steps toward a more fulfilling life.
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Whether in work, friendships, or romantic relationships, how we relate to others impacts everything. Therapy can help you communicate more effectively, strengthen connections, and build healthier relationships.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I tailor our work to your needs, blending deep exploration with practical tools like the Enneagram to help you better understand yourself and create real, lasting change.
Why Arborvitae Psychotherapy?
The name Arborvitae comes from the Latin for “tree of life.” It’s a symbol of strength, resilience, and renewal—all key elements of the work I do with my clients.
Like a tree, growth isn’t always obvious on the surface, but beneath it, deep roots are forming. Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right conditions—insight, support, and the willingness to do the work—you develop a foundation that can weather challenges and support lasting transformation.
For many men, life has been about doing what they “should”—building careers, taking on responsibilities, meeting expectations. But at some point, the question arises, “What about what actually matters to me?” That’s where our work begins.
At Arborvitae Psychotherapy, I help professional men untangle what’s no longer working, reconnect with what’s meaningful, and build a stronger foundation for the life they actually want to live. It’s not about chasing more—it’s about growing deeper, standing taller, and moving forward with clarity and confidence.
If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s talk.