Here is what some of my previous clients have to say about working with me.


I had been in therapy several times before I went to see Matt. Each time, I felt like I made some progress during treatment, but afterwards, I went right back to my old behaviors. Seeing Matt was different, because I was able to learn to control my behaviors for good. It has been almost a year since I saw Matt last, and I still haven’t gone back to my old ways.

-42 year old male.

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I initially went into therapy with Matt because my husband found out that I was having an affair. He told me I had to therapy or we were through. I was angry at his “ultimatum,” but I didn’t want to lose the relationship, so I did what he asked. My brother recommended Mr. Sweet, so I made an appointment.

From the first session Mr. Sweet put me at ease, and I was eventually able to talk about the reasons that I had the affair. Mr. Sweet made me feel safe and comfortable, but at the same time I knew that he was being honest with me. He wasn’t afraid to tell me things that I didn’t really want to hear, but he said them in a way that made it feel like advice being given by an old friend, not a cold professional.

My husband and I reconciled, eventually. And I learned how to get my needs met in the relationship, and not outside of it. I am grateful for Mr. Sweet’s help.

-55 year old female

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“Coming out”—telling the world that I was a gay man—scared the daylights out of me!!! I think it probably scares everyone, but I have a very conservative job, and a very conservative family, and I was terrified that I would lose everything. At the same time, I knew that I couldn’t continue to live the lie. So, I called Matt Sweet, MSW.

At first, I wasn’t sure that therapy was right for me. The first two sessions were pretty difficult—I was talking about things I didn’t want to talk about!! But Matt was very calm, very patient, and eventually I found myself disclosing to him things that I’d never told another living soul.

Now, it’s been a couple of years, and I feel better for having gone to therapy. I’m out of the closet—and although it was difficult at times—I am glad that I did it. I like my life for the first time ever. I think I have Matt Sweet, MSW, to thank for that.

-29 year old male

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I had spent most of my life running from things and avoiding things. I had structured my life so that I was safe, and I felt like that made me happy. But keeping up the charade was so much work, that eventually everything came crashing down. I was referred to Matt from my physician, so I made an appointment.

When I first saw Matt Sweet, I thought, “What does this young kid have to tell me that I don’t already know?” But I gave it a chance, and I’m glad that I did. We worked together, and through the process I have a new outlook on life. I think that, for what may be the first time, I can finally deal with the world without being terrified.

-72 year old male

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A friend referred us to Matt. We had been having problems, fighting and arguing. We had a lot of problems getting acceptance for our same-sex relationship from our families. In fact, the pressure from our families was so great that we began to wonder if we could even go on with the relationship. So we went into couple’s therapy.

Couple’s therapy was the best thing to happen to us! We learned about each other, we learned about ourselves, and we learned about relationships in general. It was difficult, and frightening at times, but Matt made us feel comfortable and safe. We worked through a lot of what was going on for us, and we’re better off for having been in couple’s therapy.

-34 and 41 year old gay males

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My partner and I are raising a son we adopted. We adopted him when he was 3, and he had just turned 14. He was acting out, and the stress from his behavior was causing our family to fall apart. We realized that we needed family therapy, but we also realized that most therapists are probably not experienced with gay male couples and their children. We heard about Matt from Affirmations [the Detroit GLBT community center], and we went to see him.

From the start I knew we were in the right place. He was very warm, and even our son, who hated everyone at the time, liked Matt! Over time, our son’s acting out decreased, and we learned how to cope with problems in our family. My partner and I are better parents now because of our experience in therapy.

-48 and 49 year old gay males, and their 15 year old son

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Therapy with Matt was very satisfying. It wasn’t always easy, but the end result was worth it.

-31 year old lesbian woman

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I was arrested for soliciting sex with another man at a rest stop. The judge mandated that I get therapy. I looked for sex therapists in the Detroit area, and I found Matt.

Initially, I was humiliated. I had to disclose my complete sexual history to someone. I didn’t like the way it sounded when it came out of my mouth, and I certainly didn’t want anyone else to hear it.

Matt put me at ease. I still remember what he said: “[name omitted], I work with this issue all day long. I’m not going to judge you, or laugh at you, or tell anyone else what you tell me. You can feel safe here.” I know it sounds a little cheesy, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. I told Matt everything, and over the course of our sessions I learned how to have a healthier sexuality. I haven’t had sex in a public bathroom in over two years.

-39 year old gay man

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Disclaimer: Identities of people giving testimonials have been disguised. Some testimonials are delivered orally and then transcribed, some are delivered in writing. Some testimonials have been edited for content or length.