Here's a bit about me as a person, and the background to my work as a counsellor and coach.
I come from a small town in the Mallee from a tradesman family, and was originally a high-school drop-out. While working in a factory I discovered philosophy, and developed a passion for it which led me to The University of Melbourne, where I studied and eventually taught it.
My interested in philosophy was less about theory and more about living well: facing suffering, finding meaning, and making life good. For that reason I wanted a more hands-on approach, with more psychological insight, so I decided to study counselling. These days I'm a Master's qualified counsellor and am registered at the highest level with the Australian Counselling Association. I've worked with literally thousands of clients over the last fifteen years.
I spent my initial years developing an approach in private practice called Existential Therapy. That's the combination of philosophy and counselling. I drew on philosophers like the Stoics, Aristotle, and Nietzsche. I developed a name for myself in this field, but due to my time counselling in organisations my focus shifted:
I also spent those years counselling within organisations, talking many men back from bridges, helping others with relationships or separations, doing crisis work with combat veterans, and counselling people who were bereaved after suicide. Over time this caused my work to take on a much more practical focus than existential therapy: while maintaining that depth, I did so much work with men and found it aligned so well with my passions and temperament, that I increasingly put all my focus into being a men's counsellor. I now work solely in private practice, helping men with relationships and dating, work and career, and with self-worth, purpose, direction, confidence, and happiness.
I'm a counsellor, not a psychologist. A psychologist is trained to asses and treat mental illness, while a counsellor is trained to help with life issues: relationships, career, emotional strength, taking action and making life better. My approach is a blend of two disciplines:
Men and women are different. A lot of counselling suits female psychology, not men, and even pathologises men. You get the opposite with me. I'm pro-man. I'm also pro-woman, but I'm here to help men. I understand men, I value our inherent masculinity, and I know what works psychologically for us. As a working class male I'll talk straight with you. As a counsellor and coach with years of experience with many of the deepest challenges men face, I offer my knowledge and skill, my ear and my consultation, for you to use to your best advantage, so you can make a great life on your terms.
In 2018 I bought a home in central Victoria and left the city. I work see clients at my offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, plus Online using video or phone.
– Matthew Bishop (MAppSocSci(Couns); BA (Hon); Dip. Prof. Couns.).
I come from a small town in the Mallee from a tradesman family, and was originally a high-school drop-out. While working in a factory I discovered philosophy, and developed a passion for it which led me to The University of Melbourne, where I studied and eventually taught it.
My interested in philosophy was less about theory and more about living well: facing suffering, finding meaning, and making life good. For that reason I wanted a more hands-on approach, with more psychological insight, so I decided to study counselling. These days I'm a Master's qualified counsellor and am registered at the highest level with the Australian Counselling Association. I've worked with literally thousands of clients over the last fifteen years.
I spent my initial years developing an approach in private practice called Existential Therapy. That's the combination of philosophy and counselling. I drew on philosophers like the Stoics, Aristotle, and Nietzsche. I developed a name for myself in this field, but due to my time counselling in organisations my focus shifted:
I also spent those years counselling within organisations, talking many men back from bridges, helping others with relationships or separations, doing crisis work with combat veterans, and counselling people who were bereaved after suicide. Over time this caused my work to take on a much more practical focus than existential therapy: while maintaining that depth, I did so much work with men and found it aligned so well with my passions and temperament, that I increasingly put all my focus into being a men's counsellor. I now work solely in private practice, helping men with relationships and dating, work and career, and with self-worth, purpose, direction, confidence, and happiness.
I'm a counsellor, not a psychologist. A psychologist is trained to asses and treat mental illness, while a counsellor is trained to help with life issues: relationships, career, emotional strength, taking action and making life better. My approach is a blend of two disciplines:
- the insight of counselling - helping you understand yourself and build the emotional strengths you want,
- and coaching, because in order to improve things you need to take courageous, consistent action, and I guide, challenge, and support you in that.
Men and women are different. A lot of counselling suits female psychology, not men, and even pathologises men. You get the opposite with me. I'm pro-man. I'm also pro-woman, but I'm here to help men. I understand men, I value our inherent masculinity, and I know what works psychologically for us. As a working class male I'll talk straight with you. As a counsellor and coach with years of experience with many of the deepest challenges men face, I offer my knowledge and skill, my ear and my consultation, for you to use to your best advantage, so you can make a great life on your terms.
In 2018 I bought a home in central Victoria and left the city. I work see clients at my offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, plus Online using video or phone.
– Matthew Bishop (MAppSocSci(Couns); BA (Hon); Dip. Prof. Couns.).
