Teletherapy for Glen Ellyn, IL

I believe that life is a journey, full of joys and disappointments, successes and setbacks. While the extent and nature of my interventions may vary, I strongly believe that all people possess the personal strength and the means to improve their own lives if provided with the necessary guidance and support.

I specialize in the treatment of behavioral health disorders for motivated clients who are interested in collaborating and working to attain their goals. We will work together, primarily focused on the current situation and its solution, rather than the past. Through scientifically- supported methods, we will concentrate on your views and beliefs about your life, and how they are tied to your behaviors and emotions.

You are feeling disorganized, distracted, or confused about life direction and struggling to anchor to a sense of self or personal values. Maybe you are struggling to acknowledge, feel, and express your emotions, and experience yourself shutting down. Or perhaps you are feeling stuck in negative self-talk, often struggling with perfectionistic tendencies and cycles of shame.

Burned out and overwhelmed, you’re feeling stuck in a pattern that try as you might, you just can’t seem to break free of. You’re starting to recognizing that jussst maybe, there’s something deeper going on that keeps you feeling this way. Feeling disconnected from yourself and others - you’re exhausted, you’ve hit your limit, and you're ready to experience some relief.

We all start somewhere. And we all have progress to make. Our past and present experiences inform our future. Understanding our past helps us create a coherent narrative of who we are today. It sets us up for better success, both now and in the future. I enjoy working with clients who are looking to explore past and present relational dynamics, work through past traumas, find inner peace, or strengthen their connection with others. I value the opportunity to guide clients on their path toward self-exploration and I use evidence-based practices to tailor my approach to individual needs.

Are you feeling stuck? Truth is I've been there, most of us have. The power of therapy can motivate, transform and instill hope in us all. Whether you're looking to learn certain life skills, going through a tough transition or just need someone to listen. I'll meet you wherever you are in your life to offer support without judgment.

I have nearly 30 years of clinical experience with individuals and relationships. I help clients navigate through the distress of dissatisfaction with their lives and connections with others. Anxiety, stress, anger, sadness, and conflict can rob anyone from the joy of living with true peace of mind and closeness with family members, friends, and others.

Currently I specialize in Trauma in adults and adolescents as a Certified Trauma Treatment Professional. For 20 years I specialized in divorce issues, both in families with high amounts of conflict and custody disagreements and provide support during this difficult transition. In addition, I have a strong background in Attachment, and I specialize in Attachment issues in children and adults and address the various challenges clients face in their current relationships. I use EMDR when appropriate as well as myriad Neuropsychological interventions to allow clients to process and free themselves from the cycle of Trauma memories.

Has infidelity been an issue in your relationship? Are you concerned that you may be emotionally or verbally manipulated by your partner? Do you ever wonder, ‘am I the problem’? I am passionate about working with individuals struggling with relationship issues, including partner betrayal trauma, with a particular interest in infidelity and narcissistic (verbal/emotional) abuse recovery. I am here to listen, assist, and share skills with you to be where you want to be and live the life you desire and deserve, all coming from a life-lived and trauma-informed lens.

Asking for help isn't always easy, so I have tremendous respect for the courage and strength it takes to seek professional guidance. Working from the belief that change is always possible, I help my clients identify their strengths, what's getting in the way of making changes in their life, and the most effective ways to achieve their goals. My style of counseling is supportive and collaborative, with an emphasis on respect, encouragement, and hope.

I specialize in therapy for cross-cultural issues, providing a safe and supportive space for native Spanish speakers, children of immigrants, and bicultural individuals to explore their experiences and embrace their cultural identities. since I am fluent in both Spanish and English, I can create a comfortable and inclusive environment for native Spanish speakers. Also, I am skilled at supporting couples to resolve long-standing arguments and address a wide array of relationship problems. My compassionate and non-judgmental approach creates a safe space where couples can openly express their thoughts and emotions.

I am a dedicated therapist who works with individuals, couples, and families through transformative journeys towards growth and resilience. My unique clinical focus is upon adolescent boys (11-17) , men (18+), and couples. I recognize the critical importance of identity formation and self-esteem in the lives of young men. Through a supportive and empowering approach, I guide adolescent boys on a journey of self-discovery, helping them develop a sense of self, navigate peer relationships, and establish healthy boundaries. I also assist couples to navigate pre-marital issues, infidelity recovery, and relationship improvement.

In a word, my approach to therapy is relational. I am at my best when I am centered, curious and genuinely engaged in my client's experience... exploring, nuancing and understanding their unique perspective and the struggles they are facing. I believe in the importance of finding the right "fit" between client and therapist and it is for that reason that I strive to be authentic and fully engaged in every session. My training, areas of specialization and personal style are well suited for those who might be seeking to go deeper in their understanding of themselves and their relationships.

As a therapist who works with adults, I use a collaborative, very direct and insight-oriented approach to therapy, so that our time together is effective. This enables maximum growth potential for my clients, whatever the reason bringing them to therapy may be. I believe the therapeutic process differs for each individual, and in working together, it is possible to identify the areas of oneself that could benefit from healing, change and improving emotional maturity.

My therapeutic approach is warm, casual, authentic, encouraging, and collaborative and I believe in using a strength based approach to assist clients in overcoming obstacles. I'm committed to helping clients identify goals, and provide the tools and skills necessary to reach those goals.

I work primarily with youth and families, adults and both established and premarital couples. I am certified to administer the PREPARE-ENRICH premarital counseling program, and have experience working with issues associated with abuse/trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, family and parenting challenges, marital issues (communication, conflict resolution, intimacy issues, etc.), self Image/identity, life transitions, spirituality, and men's issues. I also have experience working with the unique challenges that often accompany engagement in full-time ministry and/or spiritual leadership in various capacities.

I work primarily with adult individuals 20-80+ who are seeking greater depth in their lives or relationships. In practice since 1987, I have considerable experience in midlife and professional challenges; illness, loss, and grief; retirement and aging; relationships and sexuality; LGBT concerns; dreams -- and more. My practice is diverse but the common denominator is desire for growth and change, and a willingness to work together to achieve it. You can find more at www.stephenmartz.com

Every person that comes to therapy has unique reasons for showing up. Some are bothered by constant intrusive worry thoughts; others are bogged down by intense sadness. Many have experienced events that have proven the world to be unsafe, unjust, and filled with pain. While the intentions for seeking therapy might all be different, almost everyone has the same general goal: to achieve a life worth living. It is my privilege and honor to assist you in figuring out what that looks like.

We often seek therapy yearning for connection and understanding. My goal is to provide a safe space where we can work together as a team to help you process your experiences, validate the emotions attached to these experiences, and discover your own strengths and capacity for coping through life’s challenges. We as humans are inherently resilient even when things like shame, trauma, isolation, addiction, depression, and anxiety try to disconnect us from ourselves and others. We will work together to find compassion for yourself in restoring this connection.