What experience does Matt Le Mare have?
Therapist, Psychotherapist and Music Therapist in Nottingham
My name is Matt Le Mare, and for over twenty years I have been helping adults, young people, children and families make sense of difficult experiences, strengthen relationships and develop greater emotional wellbeing through therapy.
I believe that people have an extraordinary capacity to care, connect and grow. Yet when life becomes overwhelming, it can feel as though something is wrong with us. Much of my work is about helping people discover that many of their thoughts, emotions and behaviours are understandable responses to difficult experiences, relationships and life circumstances. Therapy provides a safe, compassionate space where those experiences can be understood rather than judged.
At the heart of my work is a simple philosophy: compassion creates connection, and connection helps people flourish. Through understanding ourselves more deeply, we can move from surviving towards thriving, developing greater emotional steadiness, stronger relationships and a kinder relationship with ourselves.
Over twenty years of experience
My professional journey began with a fascination for creativity, relationships and the ways people communicate emotion. I first trained in Creative Expressive Therapy before qualifying as an HCPC Registered Music Therapist, where I discovered the profound importance of relationship, emotional expression and human connection.
Wanting to deepen my understanding further, I continued my training in psychotherapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and a range of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches. Alongside my clinical work I have continued learning through supervision, research, professional development and reflective practice, recognising that becoming a better therapist begins with continually working on myself.
Today my work integrates psychotherapy, music therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, person-centred values and insights from evolutionary psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Rather than applying one model to everyone, I tailor therapy to the unique needs of each person sitting in front of me.
Who I work with
I work with adults, young people, children and families, although the majority of my current work is with adults.
People often come to therapy because they are struggling with relationship difficulties, anxiety, overthinking, shame, anger, perfectionism or a significant period of change. Others simply describe feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted or disconnected from themselves without knowing exactly why.
Whatever has brought someone to therapy, my aim is to create a relationship where they feel understood, emotionally supported and emotionally steady enough to explore what is happening with curiosity, compassion and hope.
Areas I commonly help with
People seek therapy with me for many different reasons, including:
Relationship difficulties
Overthinking
Anxiety and worry
Anger and emotional regulation
Shame and self-criticism
Perfectionism
Abuse and difficult life experiences
Trauma
Depression
Neurodivergence
Loss and grief
Major life transitions
Building emotional resilience and self-compassion
Rather than focusing only on reducing symptoms, my aim is to help people better understand themselves, their relationships and the patterns that shape their lives.
My approach
Although I draw upon a number of therapeutic approaches, I believe that the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most important parts of therapy.
My work is guided by compassion, curiosity and evidence-informed practice. Together we make sense of experiences that may previously have felt confusing, frightening or overwhelming. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with you?", I am often interested in exploring, "What has happened, and how does that make sense?"
I believe that when people experience genuine emotional safeness, they naturally become more able to learn, reflect, grow and reconnect with themselves and others.
Professional qualifications and memberships
I am:
HCPC Registered Music Therapist
Full Member of the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT)
Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation
Trained in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Trained in Supported Music and Imagery (SMI)
Trained in the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
My work is informed by attachment theory, person-centred psychotherapy, trauma-informed practice, psychodynamic thinking, evolutionary psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
Alongside my private practice, I also work as a Clinical Supervisor, Consultant and former Senior Lecturer, supporting other therapists and organisations in developing compassionate, thoughtful and evidence-informed practice.
Professional standards
Providing therapy carries significant professional responsibility.
I maintain the safeguarding standards expected of an experienced psychotherapist and hold an Enhanced DBS certificatefor working with both children and adults. I undertake regular safeguarding training, receive ongoing clinical supervision and professional development, and hold £5 million professional indemnity insurance.
These professional standards help ensure that therapy is provided within a safe, ethical and accountable framework.
Why I do this work
People sometimes ask what motivates me to be a therapist.
My answer is simple.
I believe our lives are shaped by the quality of our relationships—with ourselves, with other people and with the communities around us. When fear, shame and disconnection begin to dominate, life can become increasingly difficult. Compassion offers another way forward.
For me, compassion is not simply about being kind. It is the courage to turn towards suffering with wisdom, strength and commitment. It is about understanding rather than judging, learning rather than blaming, and building relationships that allow people to move from surviving towards thriving.
This philosophy shapes not only how I work as a therapist, but also how I try to live my own life.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are considering therapy, you do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
Whether you are experiencing relationship difficulties, anxiety, overthinking, shame, anger or simply feel that something is not quite right, you are very welcome to arrange a free 15-minute conversation. Together we can explore what has brought you here, whether therapy feels like the right next step, and whether I am the right therapist for you.
There is no obligation to continue. My hope is simply that you leave our conversation with greater clarity about what feels right for you.
Sometimes a conversation can offer what a website cannot.
About Matt Le Mare
Matt Le Mare is an HCPC Registered Music Therapist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Consultant based in Nottingham. With over twenty years' experience, he helps adults, young people and children make sense of relationship difficulties, overthinking, anxiety, shame, anger and life's challenges through compassionate, evidence-informed therapy. His work draws upon psychotherapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, music therapy, attachment theory and trauma-informed practice.