LCSW, 5 years of experience
Hi, I’m Makayla Martin, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LISW-CP) with over five years of experience dedicated to supporting underserved and vulnerable communities. I genuinely enjoy working with individuals facing mental health challenges, trauma, and life’s many transitions, across all ages and backgrounds. My approach is warm, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs. I draw from a variety of proven therapies—including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy—to help you find effective ways to heal past hurts, build resilience, and discover your inner strength. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges and move toward growth and healing.
In our first session together, clients can expect to begin building a trusting and supportive relationship. We will start by discussing your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and any challenges you're currently facing. I'll ask questions to better understand your background, experiences, and what has been helpful or unhelpful in the past. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the therapy process and to share what you hope to achieve. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel comfortable opening up, so we can collaboratively develop a plan tailored to your needs. By the end of the session, you should have a clearer sense of how we will work together moving forward.
I truly believe that my greatest strengths as a provider lie in my empathy and my collaborative approach. I strive to create a warm, safe space where clients feel genuinely supported and understood. I view therapy as a partnership, recognizing that clients are the experts in their own lives, and my role is to walk alongside them as they explore their goals and find their path forward. I am an active listener, always attentive to both what is being said and what may be unspoken, and I make it a priority to ensure that every client feels comfortable, valued, and respected throughout our work together. These qualities help foster a trusting relationship, which is essential for meaningful growth and healing.
I enjoy working with individuals who are navigating through life's challenges—whether it's trauma, anxiety, depression, or major transitions—and are seeking support to rediscover their strength and resilience. I find great fulfillment in partnering with clients who are open to exploring their emotions in a safe, virtual space and are committed to their personal growth. I truly believe that positive change is always possible, even amid turbulence. I love helping clients recognize their unique strengths and inner resources, and together, we work to transform difficult moments into opportunities for healing and growth. Watching my clients emerge stronger, more hopeful, and empowered is what makes this work so meaningful to me.
With over two years of experience utilizing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), I have developed a strong expertise in helping clients effectively process and heal from trauma and PTSD. During this time, I have worked closely with clients to identify and challenge distorted thoughts related to their traumatic experiences, guiding them through the cognitive restructuring process to promote recovery. In my private practice, I will incorporate CPT as a core treatment modality to provide evidence-based, targeted therapy. This approach empowers clients to better understand and reframe their thoughts, reduce trauma-related symptoms, and ultimately improve their overall mental health and well-being.
With over three years of experience practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I have developed a strong skill set in helping clients identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their mental health challenges. CBT is a goal-oriented, evidence-based therapeutic approach that focuses on the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By working collaboratively with clients, I help them recognize unhealthy thought patterns, challenge distorted beliefs, and develop healthier coping strategies. The benefits of CBT include its effectiveness in treating a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD, as well as its structured approach that often leads to quicker, sustainable improvements. In my practice, I utilize CBT techniques to empower clients to take an active role in their healing process, fostering lasting change and improved overall well-being.
With my gained experience practicing Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), I have developed a strong ability to help clients identify their goals and leverage their strengths to create positive change. SFBT is a goal-oriented, short-term therapeutic approach that focuses on solutions rather than problems. It emphasizes exploring clients' existing resources, resilience, and past successes to facilitate rapid progress toward their desired outcomes. The benefits of SFBT include its efficiency, client empowerment, and emphasis on building hope and motivation, making it particularly effective for clients seeking quick, focused interventions. In my practice, I use SFBT to help clients develop practical strategies and envision a preferred future, enabling them to make meaningful changes in a supportive and goal-directed manner.
With over four years of experience practicing strengths-based therapy, I focus on empowering clients by identifying and harnessing their inherent strengths, resilience, and resources. This approach emphasizes viewing clients as capable and resourceful individuals who have the potential to overcome challenges. Strengths-based therapy is important because it fosters hope, self-efficacy, and motivation, helping clients build confidence in their ability to create positive change. It encourages a collaborative process where clients recognize their existing skills and successes, which can serve as a foundation for growth and healing. By integrating this approach into my practice, I help clients develop a more positive outlook, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and achieve their personal goals more effectively.
With over four years of experience providing trauma-informed care, I have developed a deep understanding of how trauma impacts an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread effects of trauma and emphasizes creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for clients. It involves understanding trauma's effects on behavior and cognition, and integrating this awareness into all aspects of treatment to avoid re-traumatization. Being well-versed in trauma-informed care is essential for providers because it fosters trust, promotes healing, and enhances engagement, especially for clients with complex trauma histories. By applying trauma-informed principles, I aim to create a therapeutic space where clients feel safe, validated, and supported on their journey toward recovery and resilience.