Here to help.

We tend to withdraw and silence ourselves when we actually should talk and discuss our concerns and issues... Our lives are so complicated by ourselves and by others surrounding us and we often are lost in the dynamics of past or present fears, sadness, dependence and co-dependence...It is extremely difficult to gain full awareness of such dynamics and integrate it on our own - while fighting feelings of inadequacy, fear of rejection and sense of abandonment...Very often a warm and understanding psychotherapist becomes the only point of emotional anchorage in the fight for one's integration necessary on the path to one's peace of mind, self-realization, and happiness.

Through the use of evidenced-based, client-centered therapies, I help people live with mental health issues and over time reimagine these divergences as features, not flaws. I specialize in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Please feel free to reach out any time. I look forward to connecting with you.

I am specially trained to assist those who struggle with anxiety, trauma, and relationship problems. I use evidence-based treatments that have been proven to help people with your exact problem. Specifically, I practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and family systems therapy. I tailor these research-driven therapies to meet your specific needs and achieve your goals. If you’re ready to make a change in your life, learn new skills, and understand yourself on a deeper level, give me a call or send me an email. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations to get to know you, your struggles, and your goals for the future. I look forward to being on your team!

When looking for someone to help you with adapting to complex life situations and challenging emotional issues, it is vital to find someone who you feel comfortable being with, who respects you, and focusses on your goals. I strive to work in a warm, empathic and engaging style, blending a variety of therapeutic tools, that best match your specific needs. Refined over my 30 years in practice, I would describe my approach as results driven, hands on and active. First we explore your situation and what you want to change. Equally import, is finding and strengthening what you already enjoy in your life and is working well. Using this strength based vantage point, we detemine what needs to change and the best tools to use to making these changes for you, or a family member. I frequently work with people who want to feel less restricted by anxiety, depression, panic, OCD, or the impact of various forms of traumatic experiences. Working with people as they become more free to choose what to do, where to go and who to be with is enormously gratifying. I also really enjoy working with people who have difficulties fully tapping into their innate talents to create satisfying relationships and academic successes, because of executive functioning differences such as ADHD. Individual's who are on the spectrum have different ways of experiencing the world, and I can help them translate their experiences to better mesh with those around them.

As a licensed marital and family therapist, I have years of experience working with individuals, couples and families faced with a wide variety of challenges and life cycle transitions. I offer a supportive, empathic and nonjudgmental environment in which to discover, heal and grow. My approach is individualized, holistic, solution-focused and collaborative. Together, we will create a plan to help you reach your goals and overcome challenges. With you as the expert on yourself, my role is to provide you with insight, strategies, coaching and tools. My goal is to help you feel empowered and motivated to reach your full potential.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with twenty-five years of experience. I work with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, eating issues, addictions, victimization, trauma, and loss. I am psychoanalytically trained, and I also use cognitive behavioral approaches, such as identifying and correcting undermining thought patterns and behaviors, as well as skills training when appropriate. I believe that most difficulties are related to our unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and the unhealthy defenses we develop, usually in childhood, to protect ourselves from hurt. Once helpful, but now outdated, these defenses can prevent self-awareness and the constructive resolution of our problems. These blocks to awareness can contribute to symptoms such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, interpersonal problems, eating issues, addictive behaviors, and the like. Together, we can identify your defenses, explore your true feelings, and help you develop healthier coping skills and a greater sense of well-being. In addition to my clinical work and training, I have 20 years of social work experience with men, women, and children in the foster care and domestic violence shelter systems. I have developed and managed shelters for abused women and children, and I have provided crisis intervention, counseling, court advocacy, psychotherapy, and parenting skills training. I have facilitated groups for men who abuse their partners, and I coordinated a supervised visitation program for families involved in custody matters.

It is my sacred honor to help people with their deepest and most personal issues: their ancient wounds, in their lives within and without; their deepest hopes and fears, dreams and longings, and the blocks that interfere with creating their lives and finding and birthing their Selves. It saddens me deeply to see our world being offered "quick fixes," "bandaids," and "get over it" or "transcend it" philosophies for dealing with life's deepest wounds and traumas. It saddens me to see people being offered symptom "management" instead of real healing -- managing thoughts, feelings, and more -- leaving the real wound beneath the symptom, beneath the surface to continue to haunt them in their lives. It saddens me to see our world encouraging people to repeat as adults what they did as children - repress their feelings and find defenses to keep them away. For children, this is sanity- and life-saving. For adults, this is society degrading feeling and keeping us emotionally stuck, emotionally unmatured. For adults, this is society working against our healing, our growing, our transforming, our becoming all we can be. It saddens me to see us go 'round and 'round the vicious cycle of cause and effect when we leave our own individual wounds unhealed -- deeply affecting the state of our world and our country -- and then when the state of our world and country, in turn, triggers those same unhealed wounds within us. I bring to clients a message of lasting healing, healing to the root. I help people find and claim their own wounds, commit themselves to the real work of healing inside and out, work at their organic rhythm and pace to build their capacity to feel, and more. I also help people recognize the link between their individual healing and the healing of our planet. With a passion for safety and for healing to the root, I am committed to helping heal and transform our world one-by-one and on a global scale.

Many aspects of life can be challenging, and we all struggle at times, but you don't have to struggle alone. Therapy can offer a safe space to work through emotional barriers, ultimately leading to a greater sense of meaning, growth, and fulfillment. I also think every person’s story and style is unique, which is why I prefer an integrative approach to therapy, utilizing and blending different clinical frameworks suited to each client. Whether you are new to therapy or have been before, your mental health is nothing to take for granted, and I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation to see if we might be a good fit. I work with adults of all ages, including working professionals, artists, and students, spanning a variety of different backgrounds. Common issues I've worked with include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, life transitions, work stress, shame, addiction, or finding a greater sense of meaning and purpose. My philosophy is also based on a wellness model, which means I don’t focus too heavily on pathology or diagnoses. I value the mindset that we are all striving to reach our own potential in different ways, and all possess unique strengths as well as areas for growth. My hope is to create a safe and collaborative space together, where we can really work on the issues that matter most. Engaging in therapy is an act of courage and strength, and my aim is to work together to ultimately help you reach your goals.

LMFT

Embarking on the journey of self-discovery and healing is a courageous step, and I am honored to accompany you along this path. As a dedicated therapist, I am committed to providing a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. With a solid foundation in social work, including a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Southern Connecticut State University, I bring a wealth of academic knowledge and practical expertise to our therapeutic journey. As a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Connecticut, I adhere to the highest ethical standards and continuously engage in professional development to ensure the best possible care for my clients. Throughout my ten years of experience in the field of human services, I have had the privilege of working with individuals ranging from 5 years old to 75 years old, spanning a wide spectrum of life experiences and developmental stages. I have extensive experience in addressing various mental health challenges including but not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, trauma and anger management. Moreover, as a bilingual therapist, fluent in Spanish, and culturally competent, I recognize the importance of providing therapy in a language and cultural context that feels comfortable and relatable for you. Whether you prefer sessions conducted in English or Spanish, my goal remains the same: to support you in finding clarity, resilience, and empowerment. My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from various modalities such as Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and Narrative Therapy, tailored to suit your unique needs and strengths. Above all, I believe in the inherent strength and resilience within each individual. Together, we will explore your inner resources, build coping strategies, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself, ultimately empowering you to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life. I look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey towards healing and growth. Warm regards, Cynthia Martinez, LCSW

I provide individual and couple therapy. I offer a compassionate approach. I am skilled at attuning with my client’s unique situation. I assist in mapping out a plan to overcome obstacles and finding a healthy solutions, facilitating a healing therapeutic environment and providing the space for clients to draw out their inherent strengths and achieve desired outcomes.