Couples therapists in Little Rock, AR

Hello, and welcome. With over 15 years in the counseling field, I continue to feel deeply called to this work and honored to support people through life’s challenges. Many of the clients I work with are navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship issues, and emotional overwhelm. Sometimes people come to therapy feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure how to move forward. My goal is to be a steady source of support where you feel heard, respected, and encouraged as you work through what is weighing on you and begin moving toward healing and growth.

You might be feeling exhausted from holding everything together, anxious about the future, or stuck in patterns that no longer fit who you are. I work primarily with women and couples navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship stress, and trauma that can be hard to put into words. Many of my clients are new to therapy or haven’t always felt culturally safe or understood in past spaces. With me, you don’t have to shrink yourself or explain your whole identity just to be believed. Together, we’ll work toward you feeling more grounded, more confident, and more like yourself again.

I have over 15 years of experience within the mental health field. I hold a PhD in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Education and Supervision. I am also a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in AR. I am also a Principal Investigator on many clinical trials for various companies.

Hi. I'm Susan (Simmons) Martinelli and, simply stated, "I love people"...every individual one. I have over 30 years' experience in the mental health field with people who may also suffer with substance use and addiction or vice versa. The two often go hand-in-hand and it can be a devastating and life-changing moment to realize you possibly have either a mental illness and/ or a substance/ alcohol use problem. I simply want to help you find your healthy path...whatever that is for you. I look forward to learning about you as a person and what we can accomplish together.

Many of the people I work with are intelligent, capable, and doing their best to keep up with the demands of daily life, yet internally they feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck. You may find yourself constantly overthinking, struggling to stay organized, starting tasks but having difficulty finishing them, or feeling frustrated that things seem harder for you than they do for others. Perhaps your mind rarely slows down, your to-do list feels impossible to tackle, or you're carrying anxiety, stress, or depression that leaves you feeling drained and disconnected from the life you want to be living. Therapy can be a place to better understand what's getting in the way and develop strategies that actually work for you.

I am open minded, kind, direct, and empowering. I encourage others to improve their skills.

I believe we’re all doing the best we can, and that belief guides my work as a therapist. I care deeply about people and feel honored to be someone you can bring the hard things to. I’m down-to-earth, professional, and shaped by a diverse background that led me to counseling as my life’s work.

You might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or trying to manage the effects of past trauma while also navigating relationships or family challenges. It can feel exhausting trying to handle everything on your own.

I work with individuals, couples, and families dealing with anxiety, trauma, and relationship stress, helping you feel more supported, understood, and able to move forward with confidence.

Are you feeling trapped? As if you're navigating through a thick fog, drained, or restless? Are you having nightmares, overwhelmed by your emotions, or finding yourself easily triggered? It's important to remember that you're not alone on this journey. By taking steps to comprehend and address these emotions, you can embark on a path toward healing and personal growth.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.