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LMFT

Suzanne Martinez, LMFT

  • Experience25 years
  • LocationIllinois
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Self esteem
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Suzanne

Suzanne Martinez is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in Illinois with 25 years of clinical experience. She builds therapy around clients who are ready to address stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and life transitions, helping people develop practical skills and clearer priorities for daily life.

Background and approach

Suzanne draws on a strengths-based orientation that emphasizes clients' existing resources while introducing evidence-informed tools to reduce symptoms and improve functioning. Her work has included teaching and writing on psychological growth and wellbeing, and she has practiced in both community and university settings, bringing a blend of clinical experience and educational perspective to sessions.

In addition to couples and family concerns, Suzanne lists a wide range of focus areas including trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related struggles, ADHD, addictions, and parenting challenges. She is an Illinois LMFT and also holds approval as an Illinois Supreme Court Approved Mediator, reflecting additional training in conflict resolution and court-related mediation.

Suzanne aims to collaborate with clients to set clear goals and remove mental blocks that interfere with meaningful progress, offering tailored interventions that reflect each person's preferences and life context.

Integrating therapeutic approaches for online care



Suzanne commonly uses Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a framework to help people notice and compassionately relate to different parts of themselves, which can be useful for understanding internal conflicts, self-criticism, and patterns that maintain distress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another approach she employs to help clients clarify values, practice mindful awareness, and take committed action toward meaningful goals amidst difficult thoughts and feelings. Client-Centered Therapy informs her stance in sessions by prioritizing empathic listening and respect for each person's experience, creating a collaborative space for change.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process; Suzanne will work with each client to explore which methods fit their needs, preferences, and goals, adjusting interventions as therapy progresses. The intent is to tailor support rather than apply a single method to every concern.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people balancing work, family, or geographic constraints. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to integrate therapeutic work into daily life while still receiving guidance from a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Suzanne commonly address?
She works with a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, ADHD, addictions, intimacy-related concerns, and career or life-change challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is collaborative and strengths-based, using practical tools to build wellbeing while exploring underlying patterns and emotions that affect daily functioning.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of professional experience in clinical practice, teaching, and writing about psychological growth and personal wellbeing.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LMFT licensed in Illinois with license number IL LMFT 166000614 and practices in Illinois.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats does she offer?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Prospective clients select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodHypnotherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English