Matthew (Matt) Kennedy, MA, RP (he/him) brings over 15 years of experience in the mental health and addictions field. His practice is grounded in a nervous system-informed framework, recognizing the role of physiological state in emotional and psychological functioning. Drawing on principles of neuropsychotherapy, he integrates bottom-up and top-down approaches to support lasting change.
Matt is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a structured and effective approach for treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. ART uses guided eye movements to support the processing of distressing experiences, often without requiring clients to verbally relive or extensively describe them.
Matt is also trained in Tholáge®, a somatic, state-based approach that focuses on accessing and working with suppressed or avoided emotional experiences. This approach uses guided techniques to help bring these experiences into awareness so they can be processed differently. Tholáge® is often used to support clients who feel stuck, disconnected, or unable to access underlying emotional responses through cognitive approaches alone.
Matt is also certified in HeartMath® HRV biofeedback, a research-based method that helps clients improve emotional regulation and build resilience by working with heart rate variability and physiological coherence.
Matt incorporates vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as part of a nervous system-informed approach. VNS may support shifts in physiological state and can be used to help clients move out of states such as shutdown or heightened stress.
He also offers non-invasive, microcurrent-based VNS using the Dolphin Neurostim® device as an optional add-on service to complement psychotherapy. Please note that Dolphin VNS sessions are billed separately.
They say that “laughter is the best medicine,” and Matt agrees. Known for his sense of humour and signature dad jokes, he brings warmth and levity into the therapeutic space. Psychotherapy can be tough work, and he’s always happy to offer a laugh or two along the way.
Contact: Matthew Kennedy, M.A., Registered Psychotherapist (#13816) [email protected]
Registered to practice psychotherapy in Ontario, Canada.
https://www.spearwellness.ca/meet-matthew
