My name is Leo Martinez and I am a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience. I specialize in mental health wellness with a concentration on substance use and psychiatric disorders. As a faculty member for Gorski CENAPS I teach and share ways that I have used his model both with clients and personally as a person in long term recovery. Previously, I was a professor at California State University East Bay teaching Masters level students clinical theory and skills. My greatest honor though has been my service as a Marine where I learned leadership, the importance of camaraderie, and how to access resilience even when I felt defeated. As a husband and father of three, family is my foundation. With my Salvadoran-American background and fluency in Spanish, I connect with diverse communities and also normalize the importance of mental health services in BIPOC populations. I currently own Mind Garden, a wellness collective offering holistic mental health services to anyone interested in maximizing self-care. At our practice we promote healing through community and evidence-based practices like relapse prevention therapy which has been some of my.most effective work. Lastly, and the joy of my career, I am an associate supervisor training future clinicians to do this work. It’s a reminder of how students can be the greatest teachers and the greatest motivators to reengage in continued growth.
Welcome to your journey towards healing and self-discovery! As your dedicated clinical therapist, I am committed to providing you with a safe and nurturing space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. Together, we will embark on a collaborative journey towards understanding and growth. You can expect a personalized approach tailored to your unique needs and goals. Through evidence-based practices, compassionate listening, and empathetic support, we will work together to develop coping strategies, enhance self-awareness, and cultivate resilience. I am here to walk alongside you every step of the way, offering guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. Together, we will navigate the challenges you face and celebrate the milestones you achieve. I look forward to the opportunity to accompany you on this transformative journey towards a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Family-Centered Approach: My strong foundation as a husband and father of three reflects my understanding of the importance of familial relationships and support systems in mental health. This translates into my therapeutic approach, where I emphasize the significance of family dynamics and relationships in the healing process. Cultural Competency and Diversity: My Salvadoran-American background and fluency in Spanish enable me to connect deeply with diverse communities, particularly BIPOC populations. My ability to understand and empathize with clients from various cultural backgrounds fosters trust and rapport in therapeutic relationships. Holistic Wellness Advocacy: as the owner of Mind Garden, my wellness collective, I promote holistic mental health services, emphasizing the importance of self-care and community support. My dedication to offering comprehensive care suggests a commitment to addressing clients' needs on multiple levels: emotional, physical, and social. Evidence-Based Practice: My incorporation of evidence-based practices like relapse prevention therapy demonstrates my commitment to offering effective, research-supported interventions to my clients. This ensures that my clients receive high-quality care that is backed by empirical evidence. Supervisory and Training Skills: My role as an associate supervisor reflects my dedication to mentoring and training future clinicians. By sharing my knowledge and experience with aspiring therapists, I contribute to the growth and development of the mental health field, while also continually learning and evolving myself. Overall, my strengths lie in my ability to integrate personal values, cultural competence, evidence-based practices, and mentorship to provide comprehensive and effective mental health services to a diverse range of clients.
I understand that you are facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, but I admire your commitment to wellness and your desire to live a healthy life in both mind and spirit. Whether you're battling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or any other mental health challenges know that you're not alone in this journey. I specialize in working with individuals of all ages, from diverse family backgrounds, who are seeking to rebuild trust and find hope again. Together, we can navigate through the darkness and uncover the light within you. I firmly believe in the resilience of the human spirit and that change is not only possible but achievable. If you're ready to take the first step towards healing and transformation, I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Leonardo Martinez offers therapy covered by Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
I believe that the mind is the key to our overall well-being in both psychological and physical experiences. For over a decade I’ve helped hundreds of people learn their mental roadblocks and develop solutions to everyday problems. I have applied the work to common challenges we all face from mental health concerns, relationship breakdowns, to behavioral concerns including highly stigmatized concerns like addiction.
By exploring the causes of ruptures between my clients and their loved ones, I’ve helped resolve lifelong wounds while honoring the experiences of each person involved. Restoring bonds is possible with this approach which I have used over the past decade with children, young adults and elders.
I’ve worked with several families facing complicated situations like addiction and learning to live with severe mental illnesses. Through education, the installation of hope, and coaching I have used the past decade to successfully develop plans of collaborative support recognizing the value and responsibility of each member involved. I have also delivered services in Spanish to help marginalized communities that historically do not seek treatment due to stigma.
I have over 5 years experience as a forensic clinician and was an integral member of an ACT team designed to support this population safely in the community. I’ve helped clients identified errors in thinking and restructure criminal thinking to pro social narratives that allow for success in recovery.
My source of training began with Gestalt. My first supervisor explained that the word Gestalt means “all parts make the whole” reminding me that every part of the clinical interaction (from clinician to environment) has meaning to the clinical space. I use this knowledge to access my internal experience as a way to provide feedback to my clients that help them raise awareness to their experience of life and to overcome challenges to strong relationship-building.