Elizabeth Martinez , LCSW

Elizabeth Martinez is a licensed clinical social worker with 11 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, trauma and depression. She practices in Illinois and focuses on practical steps people can use right away. Elizabeth keeps language straightforward so overwhelmed readers can follow along.

She creates an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be named. In sessions she listens closely and helps clients notice what matters most to them. That often leads to small, doable changes rather than big leaps.

Elizabeth uses tools drawn from evidence-informed approaches to help people cope with hard changes. She helps people build skills to steady intense emotions, shift unhelpful thinking patterns, and reconnect with personal values. These tools can be useful after loss, separation, or other major life transitions.

She also supports people dealing with relationship struggles, caregiving stress, feelings of guilt or shame, and challenges linked to attachment or abandonment concerns. Work may include skill practice, behavioral experiments, or guided reflection to test new ways of relating.

Sessions are aimed at making daily life feel more manageable. Elizabeth encourages realistic goals and frequent check-ins on progress. She helps people take the next practical step toward a life that feels more intentional and livable.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify their values and take small steps toward them even when emotions are strong. It’s useful for stress, life transitions, and situations that feel overwhelming. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on changing unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. It often includes homework and practical experiments between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication. These skills are helpful when emotions feel intense or when relationships are strained.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences. That might mean trying one approach first, mixing techniques, or adjusting as things change over time.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for quick check-ins, homework support, or when writing helps you process thoughts. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy life and keep momentum between sessions.