Rafael Martinez, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Rafael Martinez

Rafael Martinez

(he/him)

LCSW
3 years of experience
Virtual

Hello! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Grief Counselor based in Texas. I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and have been practicing for three years. My experience includes three years working with migrant adolescents at a non-profit organization and one year at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. My primary focus is on helping individuals navigate grief, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, and adjustment difficulties.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, I will create a safe and confidential environment for you to share openly. We’ll start with brief introductions and set clear expectations. Following that, we’ll explore the specific challenges you’re facing. This approach will help me develop a personalized plan for us to address in our subsequent sessions.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I am a compassionate and attentive listener, dedicated to supporting you on your healing journey. Together, we will identify the root causes of your challenges and develop a personalized plan to address them.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am passionate about working with clients who are ready to embark on their healing journey through therapy. As a bilingual therapist, I enjoy working with Spanish-speaking clients, whether they are adolescents or older adults.I find great fulfillment in working with LGBTQ+ clients, individuals who are grieving, and migrants who are adjusting to new environments.

About Rafael Martinez

Rafael Martinez offers therapy covered by UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Texas.

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors. We work together to understand how these thoughts impact their emotions and actions. Through techniques like cognitive restructuring and behavioral experiments, clients learn to replace unhelpful thoughts with more balanced ones and develop healthier coping strategies. This collaborative approach empowers clients to make positive changes and improve their overall well-being.

Psychodynamic

In my practice, I use Psychodynamic Therapy to help clients explore and understand their unconscious thoughts, feelings, and past experiences. This approach involves discussing current difficulties, fears, desires, and dreams to uncover underlying emotional conflicts. By gaining insight into these hidden aspects, clients can better understand how their past influences their present behavior and relationships. This deeper self-awareness allows them to make more informed choices and develop healthier patterns in their lives.

Humanistic

In my practice, I use Humanistic Therapy to help clients realize their full potential and foster personal growth. This approach emphasizes the individual’s capacity for self-awareness and self-actualization. We focus on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their feelings and experiences openly. By emphasizing personal strengths and encouraging self-exploration, clients are empowered to make meaningful changes and lead more fulfilling lives.

Motivational Interviewing

In my practice, I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence about change. This approach emphasizes the importance of collaboration, evocation, and autonomy. We work together to empower clients by validating their experiences and fostering a sense of self-efficacy. By exploring their motivations and values, clients can develop strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve their personal goals. This client-centered method supports clients in making meaningful changes by enhancing their intrinsic motivation and commitment to change.

Feminist

In my practice, I use Feminist Therapy to help clients understand and address the impact of societal and cultural factors on their mental health. This approach emphasizes the importance of recognizing and challenging systemic oppression, discrimination, and gender biases. We work together to empower clients by validating their experiences and fostering a sense of agency. By exploring the influence of social structures on personal issues, clients can develop strategies to overcome these challenges and achieve greater self-empowerment.