Martha Isabel
Practice Information
A Warm, Collaborative Approach
You have important work to do in therapy, so a good fit is essential. My most important goal is to create a warm, respectful, and genuinely non-judgmental space where you can feel safe enough to be yourself and explore what may be getting in the way of living the life you want.
I understand how overwhelming it can feel to face anxiety, stress, emotional overwhelm, anger, or intrusive thoughts, or to navigate the expectations of others.
I am a psychotherapist and Registered Clinical Counsellor with almost 31 years of clinical experience. I specialize in:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and emotional regulation
- Relationships and communication
- Couples therapy
- Resilience, self-esteem, and self-trust
My approach is integrative and evidence-based. I draw from:
- EMDR
- Neuroscience
- Somatic Experiencing
- Polyvagal Theory
- CBT
- DBT
- IFS
- EFT
- Attachment Theory
- The Gottman Method
I adapt these approaches to each individual rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.
How I Can Help
Much of my work focuses on helping adults:
- Understand emotional and relational patterns
- Regulate the nervous system
- Strengthen self-esteem and boundaries
- Develop greater resilience and self-trust
- Navigate emotional overwhelm and life transitions
I work with:
- Anxiety, panic, and depression
- PTSD and complex trauma
- Burnout and stress
- Relationship difficulties, communication, and conflict
- Grief and loss
- Addictions and substance use
- Major life transitions
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is also a significant area of my practice. My graduate thesis focused on couples and Attachment Theory, and I have formal training in both the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples.
I help couples:
- Understand the patterns underneath conflict
- Improve communication
- Rebuild emotional connection
- Develop healthier relationship patterns
Trauma-Informed, Mind-Body Therapy
I bring extensive training in trauma and the mind-body connection, including EMDR and Somatic approaches. These therapies can help clients move beyond simply understanding their difficulties intellectually and begin creating meaningful changes in how they experience emotions, relationships, and their own bodies.
Languages and Online Counselling
I speak English and Spanish, and I welcome Spanish-speaking adults who prefer to do therapy in their first language.
I also provide online counselling to clients in the Canadian provinces where my professional credentials permit me to practise.
My Philosophy
I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative, practical, compassionate, and grounded in genuine human connection.
My role is not to judge you or tell you who you should be. It is to help you understand yourself more deeply, develop effective tools, and move toward greater freedom, resilience, and well-being.
Let’s Connect
If something in what you’ve read here resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. I would be happy to hear what brings you to therapy, understand what you are looking for, and explore together whether I may be the right therapi
I am a psychotherapist and counsellor with more than three decades of experience. I have specialized training in couples therapy, attachment theory, and the neuroscience of trauma and anxiety. I have spent almost three decades as a counsellor helping individuals and couples confront their obstacles, cultivate growth, and create a better sense of self, better bonds, and healthier relationships.
My thesis for my degree as a psychologist is about couples therapy and Attachment theory, I also studied the Gottman Method and I am certified as a couple's therapist. As I mentioned before, I come to this meaningful work through my own emotional challenges. I know how it feels to be lost, depressed, anxious and in need of support as I struggled to develop coping skills, self-soothing, resilience and other important psychological tolls.
I also have a love for; meditation, yoga and walking with my dog. Each of us has unique challenges that we face. Life is hard and often painful. We all need support to find our way through this confusing and challenging existence. Most of us think we are broken and aren’t certain how to help ourselves through challenges. It truly helps to let our walls down and share what we are going through in safe, caring, and genuine relationships. This is what I am offering.
In recent years, neuroscience has taught us a lot about how to make the most of the mind-body connection. As a result, tools such as EMDR, Somatic Experincing, and Internal Family System are an important part of my practice and have become powerful ways to help my clients achieve their goals. Much of my work is with people struggling to accept their whole selves and live authentically with confidence. Often this is because of past trauma, difficult family relationships, or your sexual or gender identity is not embraced and encouraged by the world around you. Others are feeling lost, depressed and anxious for all different reasons as they try to find what makes them happy and healthy.
I am open and passionate about supporting many client concerns and goals but have the most experience with challenges related to trauma, CPTSD, Couples and Family Counselling, identity, self-acceptance, self-esteem, depression, General Anxiety Disorder, substance use and addiction, grief and loss, relationship communication, LGBTQ+ support and motivation. I truly believe you deserve to feel joy and to accept all parts of who you are. If you need someone, I can be that person.
Martha Isabel MACP, RCC. RPC. EMDR-CT
Specialized Training
- EMDR
- Seasoned professional significant experience providing Clinical Counselling. Master Arts Counselling Psychology YorkvilleU Toronto. Bachelor Psychol
- Member of BCACC
EMDR from EMDRIA
Master Counselling Psychology York University Toronto - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training with Dr. Marsha Line
- Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy I (EFT) for Couples.
- Training with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Peter Levine, and Dr. Stephen Porges in Trauma-Informed Approaches, Somatic Experiencing, and Polyvagal The