- Strengths-based approach
- Practical daily tools
- 25 years experience
About Suzanne
Suzanne Martinez is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in Illinois with 25 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, or big life changes. She also supports those facing relationship strain, parenting pressures, work stress, and issues like grief, addiction, or questions about identity and intimacy.
Her style is practical and strengths-based. Sessions focus on identifying what matters to the client and building small, doable steps toward that vision. Suzanne mixes talk and action so people leave with tools they can use between sessions.
She draws on several therapeutic approaches to match each person’s needs, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral ideas, and emotionally focused work. Suzanne aims to help clients notice unhelpful patterns and try new ways of responding to difficult thoughts and feelings.
Across two decades she has also taught and written about personal well-being and psychological growth. That background informs clear, teachable strategies rather than vague theory. Clients can expect guidance that is grounded in real-world concerns.
People who reach out will be asked about goals and daily routines so sessions can focus on what matters most. For anyone struggling with sleep or rest, she will address practical habits and thought patterns that affect nighttime and daytime functioning.
Therapeutic approaches and online work that focus on everyday life
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters most and take small, committed steps toward those values. It is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and struggles with motivation or sleep habits. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and sleep-related routines. Emotionally-Focused Therapy, EFT, centers on identifying and expressing key emotions and improving how people relate to others, which can help with relationship and intimacy concerns.Choosing the right approach is a shared process. Suzanne will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and then suggest one or a mix of approaches that fit those needs. The work is collaborative and adaptable as goals change over time.
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing appointments during lunch breaks or between errands. They can also let someone have a shorter check-in when energy is low, or avoid video when low bandwidth or camera fatigue is an issue. Licensed professionals can use online sessions to deliver the same tools and practice exercises as in-person work, while tailoring timing and homework to everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Suzanne commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep and rest struggles, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, addictions, grief, and related life challenges.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is strengths-based and practical. Sessions focus on clear goals and small steps clients can try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of clinical experience in Illinois, including private practice and work at a university counseling center.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an Illinois licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not work with international clients at this time.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.