Partricia Martinez, LCSW (#L8140)

Welcome and thank you for taking time to invest in your wellbeing. I am a bilingual/bicultural Mexican woman of indigenous roots raised by immigrant parents. Spanish was my first language, and I am comfortable facilitating sessions in Spanish or English or both. I have always believed in the strength and power individuals hold within themselves to heal and I see myself as a small vessel or guide in their journey. I was born and raised in Oregon and love to travel. Aside from the love I have for traveling, one of my favorite roles is being a “tia” (auntie) to my 13 nieces and nephews. Additionally, some hobbies I enjoy are dancing, boxing, hiking, singing, and exploring new cities. I believe life is a masterpiece and living with zest and experiencing it as much as my heart desires is the greatest art piece I have created.

The foundation of my work is developed by attachment, family systems, empowerment, anti-oppressive/anti-racist, trauma informed and psychodynamic theories. My practice is primarily from a decolonized mindset, and I will integrate this as we work together.  I also utilize a holistic approach that incorporates spiritual, cultural, racial, and mind/body practices unique to everyone. I am comfortable with applying faith-based perspectives as needed, although please be aware I may be limited in facilitating sessions entirely faith or religious based. I am aware of and may fulfill sessions in some indigenous practices such as healing circles, energy work/cleansing, and “curanderismo” also known as Traditional Mexican Healing. Some western modalities I use are person-centered, emotional processing, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, expressive, narrative, and solution focused. Throughout my career I have supported individuals in outpatient behavioral health agencies, educational settings, and several business and health/environmental establishments across the Willamette valley and surrounding areas. 

I obtained a master’s in social work with a clinical focus in 2014 from Portland State University. A strong focus in my career has been working with a trauma focus lens within an anti-oppressive/anti-racist practice. Much of my training has involved working with various types of traumas, that include, sexual assault and abuse, racial, intergenerational and historical trauma, and working with individuals with PTSD. I am also trained in EMDR. As a bilingual/bicultural Mexican woman, I have a deep understanding for individuals’ lived experiences and the narratives they have internalized. I believe these experiences can shape an individual’s perception of self, and influence how one develops and sustains relationships. At times these internal narratives may be unhealthy. I believe people can discover the power within themselves to make shifts in their lives and with guidance develop new narratives that can empower their current and future life stages. I have been able to guide individuals within the following areas: PTSD, anxiety, depression, racial trauma and identity, displacement/foster care, intergenerational and historical trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, transitioning genders, postnatal depression, and other specific trauma stories. Specifically, I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, families, aging adults, black, brown, and indigenous men and women, refugee/asylum seeking, medical providers, administrative positions, and clinical and educational professionals.