I am a licensed professional therapist dedicated to helping individuals overcome life’s challenges through a compassionate, client-centered approach. Specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation, I empower clients by helping them understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while equipping them with practical tools to foster lasting change. In addition to CBT, I integrate dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and mindfulness-based practices, offering a well-rounded therapeutic experience that supports emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and overall mental well-being. I work with individuals navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, and major life transitions, providing a safe and supportive space to explore their emotions, gain clarity, and develop healthy coping strategies. My approach is tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensuring that therapy remains a collaborative and meaningful journey. Whether you’re seeking to break unhelpful patterns, build resilience, or simply gain a deeper understanding of yourself, I am committed to guiding you with evidence-based techniques that foster self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth. My ultimate goal is to empower you with the skills and confidence needed to navigate life’s complexities with greater ease and fulfillment.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where we begin building a strong therapeutic relationship. We'll start by discussing what brings you to therapy, your current challenges, and your goals for treatment. I will gather background information about your mental health history, life experiences, and any coping strategies you currently use. As a therapist specializing in CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based practices, I will introduce my approach and how we can tailor interventions to your unique needs. We may also explore immediate coping strategies to help you manage distress while we develop a personalized treatment plan. By the end of the session, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect in therapy, and we’ll outline the next steps to support your healing and growth.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider are in my client-centered approach, ensuring that each individual receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs and goals. With expertise in CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based practices, I integrate evidence-based methods to effectively treat trauma, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. I am passionate about psychoeducation, equipping clients with knowledge and practical tools to help them understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while fostering long-term resilience. My compassionate and nonjudgmental support creates a safe space where clients feel heard and validated as they navigate their healing journey. Additionally, I emphasize practical, actionable strategies that empower clients to apply coping skills and problem-solving techniques beyond therapy sessions. Above all, I am dedicated to guiding individuals through their healing and growth with patience, understanding, and interventions that promote lasting change.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are seeking a structured yet flexible approach to healing and personal growth. My clients are often those navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, and major life transitions, including career changes, relationship challenges, and identity shifts. I work particularly well with those who appreciate a blend of evidence-based techniques, including CBT, DBT, and mindfulness, to develop coping skills, emotional regulation, and resilience. Whether you are someone struggling with overwhelming emotions, seeking clarity in your life path, or needing tools to break unhelpful patterns, I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space tailored to your unique needs and goals.
About Sharifa Martin
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As a licensed therapist with extensive experience in mental health, I specialize in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to meet each client's unique needs. In my practice, I integrate CBT techniques to help clients identify negative thought patterns, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and develop healthier coping strategies. For clients struggling with anxiety, I focus on grounding techniques, cognitive restructuring, and exposure strategies to reduce excessive worry and promote calmness. For those facing depression, I use CBT interventions to address self-defeating thoughts, build positive behavioral habits, and improve motivation. When working with clients processing trauma, I combine CBT with trauma-informed care, focusing on identifying triggers, reframing distressing memories, and developing emotional regulation skills to foster resilience. I am committed to creating a supportive and culturally responsive space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered. By utilizing CBT alongside empathy-driven care, I aim to help clients gain practical tools to manage life’s challenges and achieve lasting emotional well-being.
Psychoeducation
As a licensed therapist, I incorporate psychoeducation as a key component of my therapeutic approach to help clients better understand and manage their mental health. I believe that knowledge is empowering, and I strive to equip my clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their well-being. In my work with clients experiencing anxiety, I use psychoeducation to explain how anxiety impacts the brain and body, helping clients recognize their triggers and develop effective coping strategies. For those struggling with depression, I provide education on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, empowering clients to identify patterns that contribute to low mood and motivation. When working with clients processing trauma, I offer insights into the body’s stress response, helping them understand common trauma reactions like hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or intrusive thoughts. By increasing awareness, clients feel more in control of their experiences and are better equipped to apply the tools they learn in therapy. I integrate psychoeducation into every stage of treatment, ensuring clients feel informed, supported, and actively involved in their healing journey. My goal is to create a safe and collaborative environment where clients gain both emotional support and practical knowledge to promote lasting growth and resilience.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
As a licensed therapist, I incorporate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma develop practical strategies for creating meaningful change. SFBT is a goal-oriented approach that emphasizes clients' strengths, resources, and past successes to build solutions rather than focusing solely on problems. In my work with clients facing anxiety, I use SFBT techniques such as identifying coping strategies that have worked in the past and exploring small, achievable steps to reduce overwhelming thoughts and feelings. For clients experiencing depression, I focus on uncovering moments of resilience, identifying positive actions, and setting realistic goals to improve mood and motivation. When supporting clients healing from trauma, I help them recognize their inner strengths, develop positive coping strategies, and build a vision for a future where they feel safe, empowered, and in control. SFBT allows me to guide clients toward solutions that align with their values, strengths, and unique circumstances. By focusing on what’s working and encouraging small, achievable changes, I empower my clients to build confidence, gain hope, and take meaningful steps toward lasting emotional well-being.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
As a licensed therapist, I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my practice to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. DBT is an evidence-based approach that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies to help clients manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build healthier coping skills. In my work with clients experiencing anxiety, I use DBT techniques such as mindfulness exercises, grounding strategies, and distress tolerance skills to help clients stay present and reduce feelings of overwhelm. For those dealing with depression, I integrate DBT strategies that focus on building emotional regulation skills, enhancing positive experiences, and developing healthier thought patterns. When working with clients processing trauma, I emphasize mindfulness, self-soothing techniques, and skills for managing distressing emotions and intrusive thoughts. DBT’s focus on balancing acceptance and change allows me to help clients build resilience, improve their ability to cope with life’s challenges, and develop healthier emotional responses. By incorporating DBT principles, I create a supportive environment where clients can feel empowered to take control of their mental health and build a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
As a licensed therapist, I integrate Mindfulness-Based Therapy into my practice to support clients managing anxiety, depression, and trauma. This approach encourages clients to become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment, fostering greater self-awareness and emotional balance. When working with clients experiencing anxiety, I use mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, and grounding strategies to help clients calm racing thoughts and reduce feelings of overwhelm. For clients dealing with depression, I incorporate mindfulness practices that encourage self-compassion, emotional awareness, and engagement in meaningful activities to improve mood and motivation. In my work with clients processing trauma, I guide them through mindfulness exercises that promote safety, reduce emotional reactivity, and build resilience when faced with distressing memories or triggers. By integrating mindfulness into my therapeutic approach, I help clients develop practical skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and create a deeper sense of inner peace. This approach empowers clients to respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, patience, and self-compassion, supporting lasting emotional well-being.