Meet Igda martÍnez, psyd
Professional care.
Personal discovery.
I’m a Westchester-based clinical psychologist who specializes in understanding how anxiety, depression, and trauma impact your current relationships.
let me be the first to tell you:
You’re not broken.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or identity stress, it can impact how you feel about yourself and how you get along with others. This can look like a busy social calendar but a lonely inner experience. It can sound like a critical inner voice that distracts you from being able to enjoy all that you’ve worked hard to achieve. It can feel like frustration or disappointment that you just can’t seem to figure out how to get back to the freedom of being you.
And it’s ok to reach out for help. In fact, I’m really glad you’re here!
It’s really important to me that you know that I am not here to judge any aspect of you- your past, your choices, or your lifestyle. This is your space.
I’m here to help you settle into your self, make changes where you’re ready to make changes, and cope with whatever is unchangeable at this time. Working with me means talking with (not talking to or talking at) someone who is 100% invested in your well-being. I’ll take the time to really understand your context, I’ll ask the right questions, and I’ll work with you to build a plan that makes sense for you.
How I work
Therapy is a distinctive relational encounter.
You deserve a therapist who recognizes and celebrates your unique experience and situation; you deserve to have someone on your side who can understand your struggles and rejoice in your victories; you deserve someone who will help you stay accountable to your self. I’ll be right there in the mix, following up on all the things that matter to you, and joining you on your journey.
I aim to create a warm, safe space where you can feel comfortable being fully you. Together, we will identify the stumbling blocks to your joy, and explore your experiences, thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behavior. With this insight, we will then discern choice points and discuss opportunities for change. I will work with you to practice and enhance healthy coping skills, so you can be empowered to problem solve & live a healthier, happier life!
We are a good fit if —
You are ready for honest conversations & you’re looking for a therapist who will gently challenge you
You have an active internal dialogue
You are curious about how your life can be different
You are facing some life changes and would like a safe space to be able to think through and talk through your experiences and options
We are not a good fit if —
You are looking for a therapist to just hear you out
You are not ready to commit to regularly scheduled sessions
You are struggling with addictions, severe medical issues, or have been recently discharged from the hospital
Therapy with me is —
-
I take a direct approach to help you objectively look at your underlying assumptions and life patterns. I will challenge you to identify your choice points and to consider practicing alternate ways of responding and engaging in your life. I will help you hold yourself accountable to achieve the life you want to live.
-
I will maintain a curious and collaborative approach so we can explore your stuck points with grace, a sense of humor and a firm grounding in our shared humanity.
-
I will draw from my training in evidenced based practices to develop a plan that works for your individual goals.
-
Choose the privacy of my office or of your own space for your ultimate comfort and discretion.
My Background & Training
01
Education
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Unrestricted license to practice in NY and CT
Training
Certified in Trauma-Focused CBT
Certified in Motivational Interviewing
Completed Parts I and II EMDR Basic Training
Trained in Emotion Focused Individual Therapy
Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Trained in Family Systems
Certificate of training in Birth Trauma Recovery
02
03
Professional Experience/Contributions
Director of Behavioral Health of a dually licensed outpatient mental health department in Queens, NY
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at nationally recognized school of medicine in Bronx, NY
Featured in PBS documentary, Decolonizing Mental Health
Interviewed for article featured in Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/unicefusa/2020/08/31/why-covid-19-is-hitting-black-and-hispanic-children-especially-hard/
Panelist for United Nation’s 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63)
Published research related to Latino Mental Health in multiple academic journals and magazines including a joint publication of the World Federation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization
