Suzanne Martinez, LMFT

Illinois | Online sessions in Illinois | English | Book with Suzanne »

Practical therapy for stress and life changes

Details

Name	Suzanne Martinez
Credentials	LMFT
Based in	Illinois
Licensed in	Illinois
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	25

About Suzanne

Suzanne Martinez is an Illinois-based licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who are overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or difficult life transitions. Her manner is practical and supportive, aimed at helping clients take small steps that add up to meaningful change.

Suzanne uses Narrative therapy ideas to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered methods to center a person's values and strengths.

Background and approach

Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented, with attention to what matters most to the client. Her background includes long-term clinical work and teaching about skills for personal wellbeing. That mix of practice and education shapes how she explains strategies and plans next steps.

Suzanne aims to keep language simple and to focus on doable tools rather than technical terms. People come to her for a wide range of concerns including relationship struggles, parenting stress, grief, trauma, addictions, and career or identity questions. She also works with issues such as ADHD, compassion fatigue, sleep or eating problems, and recovery after disasters or loss.

In sessions she helps clients notice patterns, test new ways of behaving, and build clearer goals. The work combines listening, practical exercises, and collaborative planning. Suzanne supports people as they practice new habits and adjust the stories they carry about themselves.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Self esteem among the things Suzanne works with, alongside the areas below.

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Coaching
Addictions
LGBT
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Adoption and foster care
Attachment issues
Blended family issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Divorce and separation
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Immigration issues
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Men's issues
Midlife crisis
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Multicultural concerns
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Pregnancy and childbirth
Prejudice and discrimination
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Existential Therapy: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Gottman Method: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Hypnotherapy: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Internal Family Systems: Listed by Suzanne among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Suzanne directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Suzanne directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

Practical approaches and online therapy options

Therapies Suzanne commonly uses are explained in simple terms so people can see what might fit them. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives and helps them rewrite limiting narratives to make room for different choices and identities. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches noticing thoughts without getting stuck on them and taking actions that match personal values; it is useful for anxiety, stress, and life changes. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience, offering a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client's lead and supports their own problem solving.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Suzanne will collaborate with each person to figure out which methods match their goals, values, and comfort level. She uses short-term goals and regular check-ins to see what helps and what needs adjusting.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit into busy schedules. Video works well for in-depth conversations and visual cues, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited or during a short break, live chat suits brief check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options give flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or other commitments.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does Suzanne help with?

Suzanne supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, grief, trauma and abuse, career and self-esteem concerns, and many other life challenges listed in her specialties.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is conversational and strengths-focused. She helps clients reframe personal stories, set goals, and practice concrete coping skills in everyday life.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 25 years of experience working in clinical settings and teaching about personal wellbeing and psychological growth.

Where is Suzanne licensed and based?

She is an Illinois licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and practices in Illinois.

Which languages are offered for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats does she provide?

Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs and schedules.

How does cost and getting started work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Suzanne are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Suzanne where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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