Education
After 16 years in health administration, I returned to psychology. I completed my doctorate degree from Immaculata University and my internship and postdoc at an urban psychiatric facility in Pennsylvania where I became license to practice.
Clinical Career
Early in my career, I assisted folks with serious mental illness and helped their loved ones support them in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I also assessed children facing autism and neurodivergence to craft wraparound service plans. This work led to the role of Director of Admissions for a Psychiatric Emergency Service in Philadelphia. In this role, I clinically supervised students at different stages of their education which reminded me of my love of clinical work. After completing this work, I entered the primary focus of my career as a PTSD therapist and evaluator, supporting military service men and women, veterans, and their families.
Areas of Expertise
Because I wanted to return to practice, when I moved to North Carolina, I took a position as a psychologist at First Health of the Carolinas, a local hospital system. There, I saw around 30 patients per week. I again relocated to the Carolina coastal region and began working mainly with active-duty military personnel, specifically marines and sailors. Through this work, I learned a great deal about treating combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress and traumatic brain injury. Subsequently, I began to focus mainly on working with Special Forces. I then shifted into an assessment role with Veterans Administration compensation and pension evaluations for service members. Though I greatly enjoy assessment, I began to miss providing therapy. So, I joined Grotto to return to therapy practice.
Therapeutic Approach
In the practice of therapy, my approach merges both cognitive behavioral and humanistic/existential elements. As such, I would describe myself as warm and interactive. In my view, therapy should be a collaborative journey that allows the therapist to guide the client to practice. As such, I work with the client to find ways of feeling better in the moments between sessions. For example, I find mindfulness and journaling enhance wellbeing without adding pressure. As a PTSD therapist, I have a special appreciation for providing the space for a client to set the pace of our journey.
What to Expect with Dr. Martin
My successful recovery from depression has helped me truly understand the process of healing and bring real hope to sessions. I believe hope makes recovery possible. Thus, those seeking my services can expect attentive listening and openness to feedback. Together, we will make goals and regularly reassess them, making shifts along the way as needed to keep that hope alive. Click to: schedule an appointment or obtain further information, and please don’t hesitate to contact me at (877) 292-6020, we answer 24/7. Dr. Suzanne Martin is currently accepting clients.
For more information about PTSD, this VA bulletin on PTSD can be helpful.
