At New Light Counseling in Meridian, Idaho, we offer specialized therapy services for trauma, anxiety, addiction, and more. Schedule an appointment today and start your healing journey.

Discovering New Light Together

With a strong foundation in Social Work and specialized training in trauma therapy, I have dedicated my career to helping individuals overcome life’s most challenging experiences. My journey from customer service to clinical therapy has equipped me with the skills to guide people toward healing and inner peace.

1. Masters in Social Work from ASU
2. Internship at Oasis Behavioral Health
3. Experience with teenagers in dysfunctional homes

1. Evidence Based Principles
2. Adults and Adolescents (16+)
3. Anxiety and Depression
4. Addiction
5. Trauma Informed Care
6. Life Guidance

Matt Barrus, LCSW

I’ve always been drawn to working with people, a passion that started in my teenage years. My early experiences in customer service, from moving furniture and cashiering at a teacher supply store to handling tickets at college events, laid the groundwork for my journey into social work.After high school, I pursued my interest in helping others by attending Brigham Young University-Idaho, where I discovered a deep love for Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology. Naturally, this led me to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Following graduation, I worked with teenagers from dysfunctional homes, providing much-needed respite for their parents. This role gave me the hands-on experience required to successfully apply for a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Arizona State University.During my time at ASU, I was profoundly influenced by courses in family therapy, substance abuse treatment, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These classes, along with engaging experiential exercises with my peers, deepened my understanding of social work. My internships at the Phoenix homeless shelter and Oasis Behavioral Health Hospital were pivotal, allowing me to run therapy groups and assist individuals in reclaiming their lives after homelessness or hospitalization.In 2016, I began my post-education career in an outpatient therapy setting at a small clinic in Utah. There, I received exceptional supervision from experienced therapists, which solidified the foundation of my clinical career. It was also during this time that I received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), sparking a strong commitment to helping individuals heal from trauma. My career path then took me to another clinic in Utah, and eventually to Boise in 2020, where I helped establish a new office.Since then, I’ve continued to expand my expertise, receiving further training in CBT and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Today, I’m dedicated to helping individuals navigate challenges such as substance abuse, marital issues, panic attacks, and finding inner peace.