Eileen Martin (she/her)

I experienced feeling overwhelmed in my own past abusive relationship. I once felt crazy, had my perception of reality diminished by the words of an abusive partner, and have felt frightened and uncertain about my ability to find my way out of the relationship. I was expected to feel guilty and responsible for my abusive partner’s behavior and lived with the fear that I would never see my children again should I leave. I also understand the freedom that comes with healing from abuse.

I am an experienced grief counselor. I have worked with individuals who have lost children, spouses, parents, and dear friends. I also work with traumatic loss such as suicide or homicide grief. The waves of grief can feel overwhelming and losing a loved one can either create conflict in families, or exacerbate unhealed conflict. Healing is possible by having a safe space to share the pain of your loss.

Sometimes we reach a point in life where we recognize we have given much of ourselves away that we are not sure who we are anymore. We can lose ourselves in our jobs, our families, in illness, or divorce. Maybe you are nearing retirement and are uncertain about what your days will look like? Or perhaps you have recently had a baby and feel overwhelmed? Maybe you are a caregiver to your parents? Support is integral in navigating these life changes.

I believe in providing unconditional positive regard for my clients and believe we all have a unique lens in which we see the world. I work with individuals in learning how to honor and find value in themselves. Providing individuals with a safe environment to explore and grow is fundamental in their ability to make choices in creating a meaningful life.

Narrative therapy helps clients recognize their current story about themselves, often a learned and conditioned reality rather than based on their own values and integrity, and create a new narrative that feels congruent to who they are and create possibilities for their future. Therapy is exploring challenges as separate from oneself and how to find solutions to challenges rather than identifying with them.

Working through the lens of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is gaining awareness of how your thoughts affect your behaviors how behaviors are learned and can be maladaptive. Utilizing mindfulness and learning problem solving skills will help individuals gain confidence in their ability to overcome challenges.