What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“From day one, he was able to offer helpful insights for my partner and I. He is super relatable and really good an understanding what people are trying to communicate and cutting through a lot of noise that can make talking with someone hard. ”
KWLess than 6 months ago
“Matt is an excellent therapist. He's been a constant source of encouragement, clarity, and even friendship. I know we're not supposed to be friends with our therapists but that's what he feels like to me.”
TBLess than 1 year ago
About Matthew Bishop
Focus areas
Adolescent / Teen Issues
Childhood Trauma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety
Couples Therapy
Sex Addiction
Burnout
Depression
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Families
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Emotionally Focused
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Existential
EMDR
Gottman Method
Identity
Gender
MaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Matthew Bishop
I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego, and I work with adults, teens, couples, and families who want to feel less stuck and more connected. My practice, Sonder Therapy Group, was built on the belief that therapy should be practical, engaging, and genuinely helpful—not a place full of jargon or quick fixes. I’ve spent years helping clients navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions, and I bring both clinical training and real-world perspective to my work.
What sets me apart is my direct, personable style. I’m not the kind of therapist who sits back quietly—I stay engaged, ask sharp questions, and help people make sense of their story. I believe therapy should leave you with clarity, tools, and insight you can carry outside the session. Whether we’re tackling long-standing patterns or immediate challenges, my goal is always to help you better understand yourself, improve your relationships, and live with more freedom and confidence.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Most of my clients describe me as straightforward, compassionate, and easy to talk to. I balance warmth with directness: I’ll laugh with you when it’s called for, but I’ll also be honest about the patterns I see holding you back. If you’re looking for a therapist who will simply nod and take notes, that’s not me. If you want someone who will think with you, challenge you, and stay engaged every step of the way—you’ll likely find my approach a good fit.
I use a blend of evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment-based work, and Polyvagal-informed interventions, while also drawing on metaphor and narrative to make deeper connections. I especially enjoy working with thoughtful, curious clients who value insight and growth. Many of the people I work with have tried to figure things out on their own for a long time, but come to therapy when they realize they need a space to sort things out with someone who’s trained to notice what’s beneath the surface.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
In our first few sessions, I take time to understand your story, your goals, and what has or hasn’t worked for you in the past. I’ll ask about what you’re hoping to change and what a “successful outcome” would look like for you. From there, we’ll identify patterns—whether in your thoughts, relationships, or nervous system responses—and begin working on practical strategies to shift them.
Sessions are interactive: we’ll talk, reflect, and sometimes use exercises that help you better notice what’s happening in the moment. I’ll point out dynamics you may not have seen before and give you tools you can use between sessions. For some people, the work is focused on skill-building—learning how to manage anxiety, regulate emotions, or improve communication. For others, it’s more about insight—making sense of past experiences, understanding why certain situations trigger you, and updating old survival strategies that no longer serve you.
My process is flexible but always collaborative. I want therapy to feel like a conversation that matters—not a lecture, and not a script. Over time, the goal is that you not only feel better, but also understand yourself more deeply and gain confidence in navigating life’s challenges long after therapy ends.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $225 for 50 minutes
Ongoing session: $225 for 50 minutes
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
Office location
Matthew Bishop, LMFT also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- National University, Master's in Counseling Psychology
Professional memberships
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
NPI number
1740710730
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
11 reviews
Most relevant
From day one, he was able to offer helpful insights for my partner and I. He is super relatable and really good an understanding what people are trying to communicate and cutting through a lot of noise that can make talking with someone hard.
Less than 6 months agoKW
He is amazing!!
November 18, 2025Ameni W.Verified patient
Matt is an excellent therapist. He's been a constant source of encouragement, clarity, and even friendship. I know we're not supposed to be friends with our therapists but that's what he feels like to me.
Less than 1 year agoTB
I really wanted a guy therapist because my previous therapists was a woman and I wanted to get a guys perspective on my story and my life. I was a bit nervous but Matt made me feel so comfortable so quickly. He's so genuinely caring, but also knows me so well and when I need to be pushed. He taught me a lot about IFS and that's been so helpful with dealing with my self criticism. Anyone who sees Matt is lucky to have him.
Less than 1 year agoEE
Matt really helped me in my marriage. He is able to show me cycles of behavior that I go into when I'm stressed and does a great job of helping me pause and choosing how I want to respond to something rather than just react out of frustration. He has a really cool therapy dog too. Monty is awesome.
Less than 1 year agoBL
Therapy with Matt is kind of like talking to that one friend who’s smart enough to call you out on your nonsense but kind enough that you don’t want to punch them for it. Somehow he makes the hard stuff feel doable, and he sneaks in humor. I genuinely enjoy coming to therapy.
Less than 1 year agoPS
I met with Matt pretty much weekly for about a year before I moved out of town. He was so good that I still do video calls with him! Matt is amazing and very knowledgable. I met with several other therapists in the San Diego area and Matt was by far my favorite. I highly recommend!
Less than 1 year agoTJ
I’ve been working with my Therapist Matt for the last 2 years and it has been so impactful to my everyday life. Matt is a therapist that meets you where you at. He knows when to be a listener and he knows when to dig, ask questions and hold you accountable. My marriage has been in the best season it’s been since seeing Matt, and it’s because of his perspective, practical advice, and real life experience that has helped me continue to evolve into the best version of myself. I can’t say enough good things about this practice. I highly recommend Matt and the Sonder team to anyone looking for their right next step in life. I’m so incredibly grateful I found them, and look forward to my continued work with them in the future.
Less than 1 year agoJK
Less than 6 months agoInitials hidden
Less than 6 months agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 year agoPB
How soon can I make an appointment with Matthew Bishop?
Generally, Matthew Bishop has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Matthew Bishop's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Matthew Bishop accepting new patients?
Matthew Bishop generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Matthew Bishop's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Matthew Bishop accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Matthew Bishop is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Matthew Bishop online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Matthew Bishop using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Matthew Bishop work with?
Matthew Bishop works with Sonder Therapy Group.
Where is Matthew Bishop's office located?
Matthew Bishop has 2 office locations, including in San Diego and Markleeville, view full addresses on Matthew Bishop's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Matthew Bishop?
Matthew Bishop frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Matthew Bishop on their profile.
What languages does Matthew Bishop speak?
Matthew Bishop speaks English.
How do patients rate Matthew Bishop in reviews?
11 patients have reviewed Matthew Bishop. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.