
Derrick Martinez, LLMSW
Therapist
Education
- Bachelor’s on Social Work | University of Texas
- Master’s in Social Work | University of Michigan
Insurance Accepted
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Priority Health PPO
Specialties
Type of Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Patient Population
- Teens
- Young Adults
- Adults
- Men
- Professionals
Issue Focus
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Life Transitions
- Loss & Grief
- Men’s Issues
- Phobias
- Trauma
- Work/Career
About Derrick Martinez
Welcome to a space where your well-being takes center stage. I’m all about providing genuine care and top-notch mental health services. Therapy can be a rollercoaster, but the twists and turns often lead to amazing growth. My mission is to stand by your side through those challenges and celebrate the incredible progress you make.
A bit about my background – I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work from the esteemed University of Texas at Austin and later pursued my Master’s in Social Work from the renowned University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. Over the past five years, I’ve worked with various children, adolescents, young adults, and adults in schools, universities, community mental health settings, and federally qualified health centers. This experience has solidified my belief in the potential for growth and transformation. I’m confident in my ability to impact your mental health journey positively.
As a Certified Anxiety-Informed Professional (CAIP), I bring specialized expertise to our sessions, offering effective strategies to manage and overcome anxiety-related challenges. Regarding therapy, I believe in a holistic approach that combines evidence-based techniques tailored to your specific situation. You can expect a blend of strategies such as exposure therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, and somatic interventions. One approach doesn’t fit all – it’s about finding what resonates with you. Together, we’ll work on building the skills to face challenges head-on, whether managing anxiety, dealing with depression, navigating life transitions, or addressing issues related to trauma and identity.
As your therapist, I aim to be approachable, dependable, and deeply empathetic. I strive to provide a comfortable, safe environment where you feel free to express yourself, understand what holds you back and causes distress, and take the steps necessary to move forward.
Unique Approach to Therapy
Connecting with each client is a vital part of my practice, unlike some providers in mental health, I view each person as important and not just “a number“. I find that checking in regularly with clients about their goals and current satisfaction helps foster a trusting client/provider relationship focused on individual growth. Also, I find it important to work with each person in identifying any barriers that may be present which could hinder therapy and medication from “doing their job“. I firmly believe that positive mental health and well-being does not happen in “a vacuum”, but many factors affect this, therefore a holistic approach is required to achieve lasting results.
Specialized & Extended Training
What makes Derrick Martinez stand out is his high level of education and experience. He, along with all Start My Wellness therapists, attends at least 120 hours of extensive ongoing training and personal development per year in treating anxiety, depression, work stress, and relationship problems. This rigorous instruction differentiates Derrick from others in the field and allows him to provide the highest quality of service to patients.