- Guilt and shame
- CBT and ACT
- Mindfulness practices
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois with 11 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and major life changes. She lists guilt and shame among the issues she addresses.
Martinez focuses on practical conversations that help people name what they feel and why it matters. Sessions are straightforward and aim to reduce the hold of painful thoughts. She uses techniques that help clients notice patterns and make different choices in day-to-day life.
Her approach mixes several evidence-based methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to spot unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and mindfulness practices are offered for emotional regulation and grounding when stress or trauma feels overwhelming.
She also brings motivational interviewing to conversations about change, especially when someone feels stuck or uncertain. The work often includes practical exercises between sessions to build new habits and test different ways of responding.
People who come for help around guilt, shame, or forgiveness often find the sessions direct and focused. Martinez encourages honest talk about difficult feelings and supports clients as they try new approaches. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small, committed steps toward them. It can help when guilt or shame stops someone from doing what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers concrete skills to test and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides practical skills for managing intense emotions and improving moment-to-moment coping.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. She will work with each person to determine which methods fit their goals and preferences. That may mean trying CBT techniques for a few weeks, adding mindfulness practice, or bringing in ACT ideas about values and action.
Session formats are not detailed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into workdays or caregiving schedules, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when life gets busy. Different approaches support different kinds of work - behavioral practice for changing habits, mindfulness for emotion tolerance, and ACT for value-driven action - and she will help match these to practical needs.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
Illinois, Indiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. Guilt and shame are listed among her focus areas.
How would she approach guilt or shame?
She uses straightforward conversations and practical techniques to help people name painful thoughts and test different responses. Methods often include CBT to challenge unhelpful thinking and mindfulness to hold difficult emotions without acting on them.
What is her background and experience?
She has 11 years of professional experience and holds an LCSW credential. Her practice includes work with trauma, depression, and life transitions.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed as an LCSW in Illinois. Her professional location is Illinois.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Specific pricing depends on the plan for your region.
How do I get started with her practice?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.