Karen Martinez

I am pleased to offer you my thoughtful and empathetic support as you move forward on your path to healing, self-discovery, and growth. I believe in the power of empathy, understanding, and personalized approaches to help you achieve your goals. I provide a non-judgmental space that fosters a strong therapeutic relationship, allowing for better exploration of your difficulties and self-understanding. This also enables me to better respond to your needs by offering a treatment plan tailored to your goals, and work collaboratively to develop skills and strategies aimed at reducing present emotional distress, overcome challenges, and foster lasting change. Specifically, I work with a diverse clientele in terms of culture, ethnicity, religion, spirituality, and sexual/gender identity. I address issues such as depression and anxiety, interpersonal and relationship problems, grief, life transitions, painful emotions related to present or past experiences (including trauma), self-esteem difficulties, personal growth, body image, emotional regulation, among others. I use an integrative approach, meaning I draw from different theories to develop a treatment tailored to my clients’ needs. I adopt a humanistic approach that places the client at the center of the therapeutic process, incorporating elements from Gestalt therapy, psychodynamic and systemic approaches, emotion-focused therapy (EFT), cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), as well as mindfulness, among others. In our initial meetings, it will be important for me to build a trusting relationship with you so we can explore the difficulties that have brought you to therapy in a warm and welcoming environment. To better understand who you are, we will conduct an evidence-based assessment and delve into your personal history, life experiences that have brought you joy or sadness, and your relationships, among other things. This will also help me gain a better understanding of the root causes of your current difficulties, and reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t in the past. Afterward, we will work on setting goals and creating a plan tailored to your needs, helping you build the future you desire while recognizing the importance of your active participation in your improvement. I hold a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, and I am currently completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology at the University of Ottawa. At the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships, I am completing my internship under the supervision of Dr. Karine Côté, C.Psych. In addition, I have over a year of experience as a youth worker in a rehabilitation center. In this role, I provide education and support for users according to their intervention programs and offer workshops on various topics. I have also worked in other community settings, offering support and assistance with seniors in long-term care facilities or with youth as a peer helper and tutor. I have also been involved in research teams studying parent-child relationships and their environment, as well as stroke and behavioural recovery. Additionally, I completed an internship at a family services center, where I conducted a feasibility study on implementing a mental health program for the community. These past experiences have shaped me into a deeply empathetic and open-minded person who values mutual support, respect, personal growth, and self-exploration. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on your journey toward healing, self-understanding, and inner peace.