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I’m Derrick Martinez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about helping men, teen boys, and couples build stronger connections, confidence, and clarity in their lives. I know how difficult it can feel to carry the weight of expectations, whether it’s navigating identity, balancing relationships, or facing challenges with communication and intimacy. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can be yourself and explore what matters most.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where I specialized in integrated mental health and substance use. Over the past seven years, I’ve worked in schools, universities, community mental health agencies, and federally qualified health centers, supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults from diverse backgrounds.

I specialize in helping men and teen boys develop emotional insight, self-esteem, and purpose, and I work closely with couples to strengthen intimacy, improve communication, and rebuild trust. Currently, I am advancing my training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy to deepen my work with relationships.

My career began in 1997 as an AmeriCorps member working in harm reduction during the peak of new HIV infections. Since then, I've held many roles as a proud social worker. I have been a therapist for 18 years, with extensive training & experience in harm reduction therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. I have lived experience with mental health challenges and treatment

I have worked and lived in:

• Charlotte, NC
• San Francisco
• Michigan
• Oahu, Hawaii

I offer support and skills to those exploring identity, intimacy, or relational complexity—whether in gender, sexuality, kink, or deocolonized relationships. They may be sitting with grief, unraveling the impact of trauma, or feeling the weight of past experiences in their body. They long for connection but struggle with vulnerability, trust, or belonging. Some feel stuck in cycles of overwhelm, while others are questioning the stories they’ve been told about who they are. They seek a space where they can be seen without judgment, process their experiences, and make sense of the systems shaping their lives.

I have worked with adolescents and adults for the past 35 years in various capacities. I believe it is my job as your therapist to walk with you on your healing journey. I believe in creating a safe place for clients to feel comfortable sharing their personal stories. I strive to honor my client's wisdom of self and their experience while also building a relationship of trust and understanding between therapist and client.

Some of my background...

After raising a blended family, I decided to go back to school and change careers. Therapy lets me combine two of my lifelong passions: helping others succeed and horses. I now divide my time fairly evenly between working with horses and providing therapy.

I graduated from Oakland University in 2021 with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I worked with a non-profit group for a year before starting my practice in 2022.

I believe therapy is most effective when you feel genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a warm, supportive space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace while building insight, resilience, and meaningful change.

I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University and am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I provide telehealth therapy for adults throughout Michigan, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

I look forward to working with adults who want to make positive changes in their lives. My professional background includes working for many years in a large hospital Emergency Department as well as in private psych clinic practice. With my medical and psych training as a Registered Nurse as well as Social Worker I am able to focus on the total person. Some specific treatment areas that I have experience in are trauma, gay/Lesbian/Bisexual, depression and First Responders crisis issues as well as grief/death situations.

Clients often describe me as reliable, professional, and flexible in meeting their needs. My diverse experience allows me to connect with people from all walks of life. I pride myself on being a great listener with strong comprehension skills, offering a nonjudgmental space where you can feel safe to share and process.