Family therapy and counseling in Detroit, MI

A former client called me "endlessly chill." I am known to wear more sweatshirts than more "professional" attire. I don't want to give off any energy that I am better than anyone who sits across from me. I am known to swear in sessions (but I do filter this per client).

As a dedicated therapist with a master's degree in social work from Wayne State University. My mission is to empower clients to achieve mental clarity & emotional balance through proven therapeutic techniques and compassionate care to help clients achieve their goals with my genuine commitment, empathy, respect. My extensive training and experience have equipped me with skills to support clients mental health with various life changes, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, stress, and/or trauma.

I offer support and skills to those exploring identity, intimacy, or relational complexity—whether in gender, sexuality, kink, or deocolonized relationships. They may be sitting with grief, unraveling the impact of trauma, or feeling the weight of past experiences in their body. They long for connection but struggle with vulnerability, trust, or belonging. Some feel stuck in cycles of overwhelm, while others are questioning the stories they’ve been told about who they are. They seek a space where they can be seen without judgment, process their experiences, and make sense of the systems shaping their lives.

I’m Derrick Martinez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about helping men, teen boys, and couples build stronger connections, confidence, and clarity in their lives. I know how difficult it can feel to carry the weight of expectations, whether it’s navigating identity, balancing relationships, or facing challenges with communication and intimacy. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can be yourself and explore what matters most.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where I specialized in integrated mental health and substance use. Over the past seven years, I’ve worked in schools, universities, community mental health agencies, and federally qualified health centers, supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults from diverse backgrounds.

I specialize in helping men and teen boys develop emotional insight, self-esteem, and purpose, and I work closely with couples to strengthen intimacy, improve communication, and rebuild trust. Currently, I am advancing my training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy to deepen my work with relationships.

Hello and welcome,

I’m a dedicated therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I am truly passionate about the work I do and feel honored to walk alongside my clients as they navigate difficult moments and work toward healing and growth.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s unique needs. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported. I believe that meaningful change happens when we feel genuinely seen and empowered.

I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other modalities. This allows me to adapt our work together in a way that best supports your goals and experiences.

I have experience working with individuals facing depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and marital concerns. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply looking for support and clarity, I am here to help you move forward at your own pace.

I look forward to the opportunity to work together.

I have been doing this work since 2009 — which means I have sat with a lot of people through a lot of different kinds of hard. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling with a dual focus in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy, and my career has moved through two distinct chapters that have shaped how I practice. The first half was spent in the world of substance use — working with individuals and families where the stakes were high and the complexity was real. The last several years have been in private practice, where I've worked with the full range of human struggle: depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, substance use disorders, parenting stress, and the disorienting moments when life shifts beneath your feet. I work with individuals, couples, and groups. Very few things surprise me at this point — and that's exactly what makes this work feel safe.

I am a empathic counselor who has worked with numerous clients in areas of parenting, couple counseling, anxiety, depression, trauma, domestic violence. I understand that life's challenges can be painful and often linger and I offer hope and healing in my work.