Debra Martin, LISW

Debra Martin brings nine years of experience as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) to her work with individuals across the lifespan who want to improve mental health, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. She values a collaborative, team-based approach in which therapist and client work together with mutual respect, trust, and openness to identify concerns, set goals, and explore treatment options. Debra draws from an integrative collection of evidence-based practices to tailor interventions to each person’s needs, preferences, and life circumstances. She believes psychotherapy helps people discover strengths and solutions already within themselves and that meaningful change often begins with a single deliberate step. Debra is comfortable addressing a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, parenting and family issues, mood disorders, caregiving stress, relationship challenges, sleep problems, attention differences, and life transitions. She recognizes that the work can be challenging and that taking the first step may feel difficult, and she welcomes individuals who are ready to begin that process and set a time to start this work together.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Debra uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, accepting space where the client’s own goals and values guide the work. This approach focuses on listening, empathy, and supporting a person’s capacity to make meaningful changes, which can help with issues like self-esteem, relationship concerns, and life transitions.

She also incorporates mindfulness therapy to help clients develop awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Mindfulness techniques can be useful for managing stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and emotional reactivity.

Motivational interviewing is another tool Debra employs to support people who feel stuck or ambivalent about change. This collaborative, nonjudgmental method helps clarify motivation and build achievable steps toward personal goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Debra works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts strategies over time based on what proves most helpful.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility for working with a licensed professional. Sessions may take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing individuals to choose formats that suit their schedules and communication styles. This variety can make it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.