About Dr. Sullivan
Dr. Matthew Sullivan
Clinical Health Psychologist
As a staff psychologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Matthew Sullivan has specialized experience treating mental health concerns and providing support to those coping with medical illness and/or overcoming addiction. He has been a practicing therapist since 2016, during which time he has worked to develop and rigorously test new therapy interventions while also using evidence-based treatment methods in his clinical practice. Dr. Sullivan received his couples therapy training under the expert faculty of the MGH Family & Couples Therapy Program. His research has been supported by the NIH-funded Harvard Center for AIDS Research. Dr. Sullivan has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the science of promoting health and well-being.
Education & Experience
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Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School
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Staff Psychologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Affiliated Researcher, The Fenway Institute, Fenway Community Health
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Postdoctoral Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
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Predoctoral Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
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PhD, University of Connecticut
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Certificates in Health Psychology & Quantitative Research Methods
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BA, Psychology & English, Williams College
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Sullivan provides a range of treatment services. Select below for more information about his specialties:
Individual CBT
Dr. Sullivan provides individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. Our approach is tailored to each individual's needs, fostering a supportive and empowering environment for positive change. Areas of expertise include:
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ADHD
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Anxiety (generalized, social, phobias)
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Career challenges
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Depression
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LGBTQ+ mental health
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Life transitions
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Relationships
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Sleep or insomnia
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Stress management
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Trauma and PTSD
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Transgender affirmative care
Couples Therapy
Dr. Sullivan specializes in couples therapy, offering a compassionate and effective approach to help partners navigate relationship difficulties and strengthen their bond. Therapy sessions are designed to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and foster a deeper connection. Issues addressed include:
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Conflict
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Co-parenting stress
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Coping with illness
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End-of-life planning
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Family caregiving
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Infidelity
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Making a commitment
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Same-sex relationships
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Open relationships
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Planning for retirement
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Transgender or gender-nonconforming partners
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Transition to parenthood
Coping with Illness
In addition to CBT and couples therapy, Dr. Sullivan provides expertise in helping individuals cope with illness. Our therapy sessions are focused on addressing the emotional and psychological impact of illness, empowering clients to enhance their well-being and resilience and engage in health-promoting behaviors. Conditions treated include:
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Autoimmune disease
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Cancer
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Caregiving stress
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Chronic Pain
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Emotional Eating/Binge Eating
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Functional Neurological Disorder
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HIV
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Illness-related Anxiety
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Irritable Bowel Disease/Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Overweight & obesity
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Parkinson’s Disease
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Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (“long COVID”)
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Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
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Sleep or Insomnia
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Stroke
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Tinnitus
Addiction Treatment
Dr. Sullivan provides outpatient cognitive behavioral treatment for those seeking to reduce harms related to substance use and other addictive behaviors. CBT is proven to be an effective component of substance use disorder treatment. Dr. Sullivan has specialized training working with clients to combine therapy with additional effective tools to facilitate positive change.