Helping Women Determine and Create the Lives They Want
I specialize in working with women with a focus on identity exploration and development as well as on the cultivation of self-worth. Clients learn to discern and trust their intuition, establish a strong sense of self, strengthen positive relationships, and examine external factors (people, institutions, and/or cultural norms) that may contribute to self-criticism and/or self-doubt.
I seek to establish a genuine connection with each client by utilizing kindness, unconditional acceptance, empathy, honesty, and when appropriate, self-disclosure. I’m passionate about getting people connected with the right therapist. If I’m not the right fit for you, I’ll provide you with the names of therapists who I think might be. If I am the right fit, it will be my privilege to work with you.
Caroline Paris Martin
M.Div., LPC
To the outside world you’re a success. You are kind, smart, and deeply compassionate towards others. But to yourself, it's a different story. You say things to yourself you wouldn’t say to your own worst enemy.
If you make a mistake, you play it over and over again in your head . . . sometimes for YEARS. You can't seem to let it just slip off your back the way you see others do.
You struggle to prioritize your needs without thinking you’re doing something wrong.
You feel guilty if someone else is sad or angry because you feel responsible for the emotions of those around you.
You struggle with boundaries (you may even think they’re unkind). You can't stand the thought of disappointing others.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to break the cycle of feeling not enough. It sometimes leaves you feeling really low, and you don't know how to get out of it.
Two important things to know:
1. You weren’t meant to feel this way.
You have experienced something(s) that have contributed/that are the roots of you feeling this way. Some of the causes are probably clear to you. Others may not be as obvious although potentially just as harmful. We’ll uncover the root causes and work through them all together. You’ll learn to discern and trust your intuition and to know what you were meant to know all along:
You are worthy.
Exactly as you are.
2. Change is possible.
I know it doesn’t feel like it, but it is. It's possible for you to finally believe you’re worthy and to make decisions reflecting that knowledge. To build a life you love and believe you deserve to enjoy it. When we start our work together, I’ll believe enough for you. Eventually, you’ll come to believe it too. And it will feel like gold.
“No relationship can eliminate isolation. Each of us is alone in existence. Yet loneliness can be shared in such a way that love compensates for the pain.”
–Irvin Yalom
What’s with the name, “Together Therapy?”
There aren’t a lot of tenants for therapy that work for all people across all times. However, the one universal truth for therapy (and for life) is that we are meant to journey together and live our lives in connection with others. Journeying with my clients feels sacred to me, and if we decide to work together, it will be my privilege to walk alongside you.