Dr. Matt Morris & Associates

06/05/2025

“What do you want to do?” That deceptively simple question can land like a gr***de. Instead of sparking excitement, it can trigger frustration, exhaustion, even resentment.

In the whirlwind of work, school, family routines, and never-ending to-dos, carving out date nights feels like just another checkbox—only to end up scrolling in bed, binge-watching Netflix, or spending dinner debriefing and planning the next week. It’s a chore to find the time and another chore to plan the time. When self-fulfillment becomes a chore, we lose ourselves, each other, and the spark that makes life feel meaningful.

Intimacy is born in the mutual engagement of curiosity and vulnerability. When done well, that tension leads us to embrace the unknown and explore it, creating the electricity that sparks true connection.

Read more on the blog: https://bit.ly/3Z57beP

05/14/2025

This month, we’re excited to highlight Khari Pouncy, a dedicated therapist and school counselor whose work bridges the worlds of mental health and education. With a person-centered approach grounded in empathy and connection, Khari brings warmth, structure, and clarity to his work with children, teens, couples, and families.

As a school counselor, he supports students’ social-emotional growth while collaborating with families and educators to foster academic success. In the therapy room, Khari is especially passionate about strengthening parent-child relationships—helping caregivers and their children build trust, improve communication, and navigate challenges together.

Whether he’s facilitating healing in family systems or walking alongside students during pivotal life stages, Khari’s commitment to intentional, affirming care is felt in every space he serves.

If you’re looking for support in navigating family dynamics or helping your child thrive, consider booking a session with Khari today.

05/05/2025

Burnout is what happens when you try to avoid being human for too long.” – Michael Gungor

There are aspects of our lives we can control and others we cannot. In the workplace, we face non-negotiable responsibilities, yet we have the power to influence factors that contribute to burnout.

Burnout is more than feeling tired; it’s a state of chronic physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion characterized by feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, numbness, and fatigue.

https://drmattmorris.com/2025/04/30/burnout-unpacked/

04/29/2025

Spring in Louisiana is one of my favorite times of year—festival season is in full swing, the weather is beautiful, and there’s a natural pull toward gathering and reconnection.

In my work with couples, I’m often reminded how hard it can be to carve out time for meaningful connection. That’s why I love Louisiana’s food-centered traditions. They offer built-in rituals that encourage slowing down, savoring, and simply being together.

This month, I’m sharing one of my family’s spring favorites: Stuffed Artichokes. A beloved dish in Louisiana’s Sicilian community, it’s one that always brings us running to the table.

Like many Louisiana staples, stuffed artichokes are hands-on, slow to eat, and packed with flavor. They’re also a beautiful metaphor for relationships—layered, a little messy, sometimes pokey, but always worth the effort to reach the heart.

Get the recipe: https://drmattmorris.com/2025/04/02/spring-in-louisiana-savoring-connection/

04/17/2025

Just like the world around us shifts with the seasons, our relationships flow and change in beautiful, natural ways. As we transition from spring to summer, we see the earth come alive in new colors, temperatures rise, and days grow longer — and so it is with our connections to others. Relationships are living, breathing parts of our lives. They are not meant to stay the same forever. Instead, they move through seasons — some full of growth and excitement like spring and summer, others more reflective and quiet like fall and winter.

Read more on the blog:

Just like the world around us shifts with the seasons, our relationships flow and change in beautiful, natural ways. As we transition from spring to summer, we see the earth come alive in new colors, temperatures rise, and days grow longer — and so it is with our connections to others. Relationshi...

03/18/2025

“The facts are friendly.” – Carl Rogers

It is easy to spend a lot of time avoiding difficult things, whether important decisions, hard conversations, or habits that we need to change. Humans can be remarkably good at compartmentalizing and emotional efficiency, setting aside difficult issues for the sake of simply getting through the day. Sometimes that is what we have to do. However, in the long run we tend to grow when we can face the facts, hard as they may be.

When Carl Rogers penned the quote above, he was writing about the process of doing psychological research, though I believe it applies as well to the process of therapy. Engaging in therapy can be challenging and a bit scary as we imagine discovering aspects of ourselves or our relationships that we might not want to face. It can also be scary to be vulnerable with a stranger in the therapy room! I work hard to create a warm and welcoming space for my clients, free of any sense of judgment, to help you feel as comfortable as possible discussing what matters most to you. My goal is to help you gain greater insight about yourself and your relationships, and to be a person who accepts you and your story unconditionally. Together, with the unique facts of your life in hand, we can work toward solutions that will help you live your best life.

I’m delighted to begin my work with Dr. Matt Morris & Associates. Should our paths cross, I will look forward to joining you in your journey of growth and self-discovery.

03/04/2025

In a world increasingly marked by isolation and disconnection, the simple power of human connection can be transformative. Today, I want to share the remarkable story of the Friendship Bench Zimbabwe, an initiative founded by psychiatry professor Dixon Chibanda that's bringing the wisdom and empathy of grandmothers to communities across the globe. This grassroots approach, utilizing quiet benches and the profound listening skills of trained grandmothers, is not just a testament to the enduring value of traditional wisdom, but a powerful solution to the growing mental health crisis. From Zimbabwe to New York City, the Friendship Bench is demonstrating that sometimes, all it takes is a compassionate ear to make a world of difference.

This story resonated deeply with me, reminding me of the invaluable lessons I learned from my own grandmother. Her unwavering belief in authenticity and the inherent uniqueness of every individual continues to shape my approach to life and work. As a therapist, I strive to create a safe and trusting space, much like the Friendship Bench, where genuine connection can flourish. If you're intrigued by the power of connection and the healing potential of empathetic listening, I invite you to read the full blog post and learn more about this inspiring initiative.

Click here to discover how a simple bench and the wisdom of grandmothers are changing lives. -> -> -> https://drmattmorris.com/2025/02/28/the-power-of-connection/

01/30/2025

You might remember that as a teen, thoughts of s*x and pleasurable s*xual activity often materialized out of thin air. Almost any environmental cue, like a song lyric, a pleasing scent, a brush against exposed skin, or most frequently just a thought or memory, could initiate s*xual desire. In the world of s*x scholarship, this is known as spontaneous s*xual desire, or desire that seems to spontaneously materialize without any effort.

As we age, most people report that this spontaneous s*xual desire wanes with time, and for many adults, almost disappears completely. Lots of adults report that they rarely experience s*xual desire without plenty of effort. Despite wanting to enjoy s*x with their partner, they just can’t seem to muster up the desire for s*x. And, as you might know, this causes lots of consternation for couples.

But there is another type of s*xual desire…
As it’s known in the literature, responsive s*xual desire describes s*xual desire that is conjured up in response to pleasurable touch and enjoyable intimate moments with oneself or with one’s partner. For many, s*xual arousal develops and increases as one engages in pleasurable s*xual moments of stimulation. It’s responsive, rather than spontaneous.

Does this describe you? Does your desire for s*x feel mysterious or inconsistent to you? And are you frustrated with this pattern? If so, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

https://drmattmorris.com/2024/12/30/responsive-s*xual-desire/

01/30/2025

Clinician Spotlight: Devin Farrell, MEd, PLPC, NCC

"I recently came across a quote that truly resonated with me, as it captures the essence of our daily interactions with both the world and ourselves:

“You will either step forward into growth, or you will step back into safety.” - Abraham Maslow

We are encouraged to embrace moments of vulnerability as opportunities for growth, while at the same time reminded that we can always access our comfort zone. While some may see retreating to a secure space as stagnation, it can also be framed as a time for rejuvenation, rest, and inner reflection. When we look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physical and emotional safety is a prerequisite for self-actualization; once we have that basic need met, we can take risks to make powerful changes in our lives. These words beautifully highlight the power of choice and presents to us that self-awareness is the first step toward nurturing our well-being."

01/30/2025

Talk To Strangers! It’s Good For You

In an era of mistrust, it’s important to interact with those you don’t know

It’s probably been engrained in your mind since you were young: “Don’t talk to strangers!” For children of the 80’s, it was an especially prominent message in most media.

However, according to psychologists and therapists, it’s actually GOOD for your mental well-being to engage with strangers.

Even the passive interactions we engage in day to day with others is beneficial for your mental well-being according to Dr. Morris and others. “A simple nod, eye contact, a smile or wave … they all foster a sense of community in those around us. This can be especially important from a mental hea...

12/30/2024

Clinician Spotlight: Khari Pouncy, MA, PLPC

“Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.” – Jess Lair

Khari Pouncy, our dedicated clinician specializing in children, teens, school issues, and parent support, believes in fostering each child’s unique potential. With a passion for guiding young individuals and their families, Khari focuses on creating safe, supportive spaces for growth and connection. Whether navigating school challenges, family dynamics, or personal development, Khari is here to help uncover the best in every child and empower parents along the journey.

Schedule a session today!