Creating a Foundation of Safety, Trust, and Empowerment
We know that stepping into this kind of work takes courage—especially if you’ve been judged, misunderstood, or taught to suppress your true desires. At STIR, our first commitment is to create a safe, respectful space where you feel seen and valued without judgment. This is a place where you can be open about your goals and gain the confidence to pursue them without hesitation or shame.
Here, vulnerability is not a weakness; it’s the starting point for real transformation. Every part of you is welcome. With confidentiality at our core, we invite you to bring forward your hopes, fears, and untold dreams, knowing you’ll be met with respect and understanding. We are committed to providing a foundation of trust so that you can show up authentically and discover what’s truly possible for you.
Meet Matthew Riven
Founder & Leadership Coach
(he/him)
Hi, I’m Matthew Riven, founder of the STIR Institute. I know what it feels like to be caught in cycles that don’t serve you, from unfulfilling jobs to relationships that left me frustrated and questioning. For years, I didn’t even realize I was carrying around that frustration and anger—it just felt normal. Like so many, I was living a life I thought I “should” be living, rather than one that actually reflected who I truly am.
Things started to shift for me when I met a psychologist who changed my understanding of what was possible. Working with him, I dug deep into these patterns, fully understanding the core of my own choices and motivations, and most importantly, changing them! I advanced my knowledge of how to do achieve my goals by training in Transactional Analysis and Re-decision work. Today, I combine these insights to help clients gain that same level of awareness, breaking free from old patterns and finally connecting to what they truly want.
My work is rooted in specialized training, including a certification in Transactional Analysis from the SouthEast Institute in Cary, NC, and advanced training in power dynamics through the Dom(me) Mastery Training program with Kimi Inch. This included immersive education in Professional Domination, which deepened my understanding of authority, vulnerability, and connection. As a Teaching Assistant in this program, I continue to support others in exploring the balance of authority, vulnerability, and connection.
Alongside my therapeutic training, I hold a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Cornell University. With years of business consulting experience, I bring a practical understanding of what leaders face daily, helping clients to make high-stakes decisions with emotional intelligence and personal alignment. These experiences give me a unique perspective on the importance of human connection, emotional intelligence, and intentionality in creating fulfilling lives and relationships.
Today, I bring this blend of experience to clients who feel that same pull to live life on their own terms—those ready to build self-awareness, strengthen emotional intelligence, and reclaim a sense of empowerment. Together, we break free from limiting patterns to create a life that feels authentic and aligned. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, a deeper connection with a partner, or the confidence to lead authentically, I’m here to guide you toward a life that genuinely reflects who you are.
You can learn more about my Professional Dom work here
About STIR Institute: Discovering What’s Possible for Your Life
At STIR, we’re here to support individuals, couples, and leaders as they reconnect with their desires, understand their motivations, and find true alignment with their deepest values. This isn’t about fixing surface-level issues or following a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s about unearthing what truly drives you and breaking the cycles that have held you back.
Through our work together, you’ll create a new way of thinking, feeling, and acting that’s aligned with what you genuinely want—whether that’s a deeply passionate relationship, a fulfilling career, financial success, or simply the freedom to live as your authentic self. Using methods like Transactional Analysis, Re-decision work, and somatic practices, we dive beneath the surface to understand the root causes of behaviors and patterns. Here, you’re not just changing how you act; you’re changing how you see yourself, creating a foundation of confidence that can transform every area of your life.
If you’re here, it’s likely because something in your life feels stagnant or out of alignment. Maybe you’re a high achiever who, despite all the outward success, senses a gap—a persistent feeling that something’s missing. Or perhaps you’re in a relationship that repeats the same frustrating patterns. Whatever brings you here, know that we’re ready to help you discover a new way forward.
The STIR Foundations:
S – T – I – R
Our work is guided by four foundational principles, represented in the name STIR. Each represents a key area of focus that will shape your growth and transformation.
S – Sexuality & Sensuality
Reclaim the right to your desires. At the core of human existence is the pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment—not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually. Our work at STIR helps you explore what truly excites and fulfills you, free from judgment, shame, or societal expectation.
T – Trauma
Healing through understanding. Trauma, big or small, leaves lasting impressions on how we view ourselves and our potential. At STIR, we hold space for your full experience, helping you heal from old wounds, break free from self-doubt, and move forward with peace and confidence.
I – Intimacy
Build connections that honor your true self. True intimacy requires vulnerability, but past wounds often create barriers. STIR provides a safe environment to explore emotional, physical, and intellectual intimacy, empowering you to build genuine connections with others and, most importantly, with yourself.
R – Relationships
Cultivate relationships that enrich your life. In today’s fast-paced world, building meaningful connections can be challenging. At STIR, we help clients develop relationship skills rooted in respect, honesty, and shared values, strengthening self-worth and enhancing the quality of their connections.
STIR METHODOLOGY PAGE
STIR Methodology: Results-Focused Transformation
The work we do at STIR is built on five guiding principles that foster conscious, lasting change. Through these principles, we’ll guide you toward clarity, connection, and authentic self-expression.
Awareness – Discover the patterns that keep you stuck. Through mindful self-reflection, we’ll help you gain clarity around your desires and boundaries, so you can approach life with intention and authenticity.
Consent – Build relationships on trust and mutual respect. Every interaction at STIR is designed to honor your boundaries, ensuring a space where you can express yourself fully and without reservation.
Connection – Strengthen your capacity for real intimacy. Through our work, you’ll develop the trust, vulnerability, and empathy that allow for deep, meaningful connections.
Exploration – Expand your comfort zone. We encourage a spirit of curiosity as you safely explore new perspectives, experiences, and roles that bring you closer to your true self.
Transformation – Step into a life that reflects who you truly are. With STIR’s guidance, you’ll gain the tools to overcome past conditioning, embrace self-acceptance, and pursue a life of authenticity and fulfillment.
Our Commitment to Your Growth
Our work together isn’t just about changing behaviors—it’s about transforming how you see yourself and what you believe is possible. You’ll leave STIR with a profound understanding of where you come from and a new way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that aligns with your true desires.
Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection in your relationships, professional growth, or personal fulfillment, STIR provides the tools and insights to help you navigate life with confidence, resilience, and clarity. Our commitment is to empower you to pursue your goals on your terms, with a renewed sense of self-belief and purpose.
Ready to Begin
Are you ready to reclaim your life and move toward the future you deserve? Reach out today to schedule your first consultation and take the first step toward real transformation.
While the activity here may sound like ‘therapy’ it is not, and should not take the place of working with a licensed therapist.
Who am I?
Master Riven (he/him/Sir/Professor)
Meet Matthew Riven, a seasoned practitioner with a diverse skill set and a passion for guiding individuals toward personal growth and transformation. With over fifteen years of experience in Transactional Analysis and somatic therapies, Matthew brings a unique perspective to his work. He’s trained at the SouthEast Institute in Cary, NC, and the SagePoint Institute in Ann Arbor, MI. He’s received a Dom(me) Mastery Certification in Conscious K!nk & Domination Techniques from &More in Austin, TX—yes, it's a real thing! He is currently a teaching assistant in this year’s Dom(me) Mastery Training certification course. As a professionally-trained Dom, Matthew specializes in using k!nk within a somatic framework, helping clients explore their desires and boundaries in a safe and consensual manner.But don't let the k!nk aspect overshadow the breadth of Matthew's expertise. With an MBA and an MS in public health, Matthew offers a holistic approach to personal development, drawing from his educational background, extensive training, and real-life experiences. Whether you prefer to call him a Personal Growth Advisor, Transformational Partner, Mindset Mentor, or Healing Dom, Matthew's mission remains the same–to help you overcome obstacles, validate your desires, and fulfill your goals–to allow you to achieve the life you desire.Why isn't Matthew licensed? Simply put, he believes that growth knows no boundaries. Unlike licensed therapists who are restricted to working within a specific state or province, Matthew chooses to work with clients regardless of their geographical location. He refuses to let geography dictate who he can help and is committed to supporting clients wherever they may be on their journey toward personal fulfillment.
The STIR Institute
The STIR Institute is the creation of Matthew Riven. It is a center built upon the culmination of a number of routes of study. STIR is a mix of psychology, s_ex, desire, business, public health, and Conscious K!nk, and how bringing all this together can create such healing. The acronym “STIR” reflects all of this.
S- S_x
For our desires. Our pursuit of pleasure is the underlying force propelling much of human behavior, influencing our decisions, actions, and interactions with the world around us. Whether seeking physical sensation, emotional fulfillment, or intellectual stimulation, the desire for pleasure motivates us to explore, create, and connect in ways that enrich our lives and define our experiences. Let’s make life more pleasurable!
T- Trauma
Everyone has trauma. No one gets out of childhood unscathed, and as adults there are infinitely more ways for trauma to find us. Whether it’s big-T trauma or little-T trauma, every traumatic experience impacts us and how we work through life. Helping people heal their traumas to get to peace and understanding is our goal.
I- Intimacy
We crave intimacy and yet fear it deeply. We are scared of being vulnerable and don’t trust others to see us and hear us for who we are. Yet we all need intimacy- emotional, physical, and intellectual intimacy…with others and with ourselves! We work with you to build a deeper, more powerful intimacy for yourself and for others.
R- Relationships
Whether with ourselves or others, humans are an innately connected species. We are born requiring the assistance of others to stay alive. From this moment forward, relationships are key to our survival and our health. There is an epidemic of loneliness in the world, and we are here to help you create the relationships you crave in your world.