[ Matt Harley ]

Peer Support Grounded in Lived Experience

Private, one-on-one peer support for good mental health in Hamilton, Ontario — offered by someone who truly understands.

Matthew Harley offers one-on-one peer support in Hamilton, Ontario, providing non-clinical mental health support grounded in lived experience. Peer support is an alternative or complement to therapy, focused on connection, understanding, and personal choice rather than diagnosis or treatment.

His services encompass compassionate, non-judgmental peer support for adults navigating mental health challenges, emotional distress, life transitions, and complex systems. With over 20 years of lived experience and training as a Certified Peer Support Worker, Matthew offers support rooted in understanding, respect, and choice.

Support begins with being heard.

→ Get in touch to learn more or book a session

What Is Peer Support?

Peer support is non-clinical, lived-experience-based support focused on connection, understanding, and empowerment — not diagnosis or treatment.

It’s about walking alongside someone as an equal, offering presence, listening, and shared understanding.

→ Learn more about peer support

How Peer Support Can Help

Peer support may be helpful if you are:

• Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or misunderstood

• Navigating mental health or social service systems

• Experiencing a difficult life transition

• Looking for support grounded in lived experience, not clinical authority

Support is collaborative, confidential, and centred on your goals.

About Matthew

Matthew Harley is a Certified Peer Support Worker with training in peer support core competencies, WRAP, psychosocial rehabilitation, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, and non-clinical crisis support. He also serves as a Patient Advisor with St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Mental Health & Addictions Program.

His approach is grounded in dignity, autonomy, confidentiality, and respect — walking beside people, not directing them.

→ View credentials

Services

• One-on-one peer support

• Recovery-oriented support

• WRAP support

• Emotional support during life transitions

• System navigation and self-advocacy

• Distress support (non-clinical)

Available in person in Hamilton and virtually, by appointment.

→ View all services

Pricing

Many people find shorter sessions more accessible and easier to integrate into daily life. Sessions are offered in 30- and 60-minute options:

• $25 per half-hour virtual session / $35 in person

• $45 for a one-hour virtual session / $55 in person

Payment arrangements can be discussed if cost is a barrier.

→ View pricing

A Note on Scope

Peer support is not therapy, counselling, psychiatry, or medical care, and is not a substitute for emergency services. Matthew offers peer support as an independent support worker retained by clients, not as a clinic or commercial enterprise.

→ Read the full disclaimer

Ready to Connect?

If you’re looking for respectful, confidential peer support from someone who understands from lived experience, you’re welcome to reach out.

Support doesn’t have to be complicated — it starts with a conversation.

→ Contact Matthew