Dr.Chris Martinez

About Dr.Chris Martinez

Dr.Chris Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 15 years of dedicated experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s most challenging moments. Chris earned their counseling degree from Loyola University Chicago and has since built a thriving practice serving the Chicago community with compassion, expertise, and genuine care.

Currently practicing in Chicago and contributing therapeutic expertise to Erothots, Chris has helped over 2,800 clients work through anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. Their therapeutic approach centers on creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel truly heard and understood—not just another appointment on a busy schedule.

What sets Chris apart is their authentic, down-to-earth style that makes therapy feel less like a clinical experience and more like talking with someone who genuinely gets it. Chris combines evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused interventions with a warm, relational approach that meets clients exactly where they are.

Chris specializes in working with adults dealing with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, and identity exploration. They’re particularly skilled at helping clients who feel stuck, overwhelmed by life’s demands, or struggling to make sense of difficult experiences.

Clients consistently describe Chris as insightful, empathetic, and practical—someone who not only helps them understand their struggles but provides concrete tools they can use immediately. Many report that Chris was the first therapist who made them feel truly comfortable opening up about their deepest concerns.

Chris believes therapy should be a collaborative partnership, not a one-sided experience where a therapist has all the answers. Together with clients, Chris works to identify patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and create meaningful change that extends far beyond the therapy room.

Whether you’re dealing with a specific crisis, managing ongoing mental health challenges, or simply seeking personal growth and self-understanding, Chris provides the professional expertise and human connection that makes real healing possible.

📋 Quick Info Section

Specializations & Services Offered

Primary Specializations:

Anxiety Disorders:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder and panic attacks
• Social Anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Performance anxiety
• Phobias
• Anxiety related to life transitions

Depression:

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Persistent depressive symptoms
• Seasonal depression
• Depression related to life circumstances
• Postpartum depression
• Loss of motivation and purpose

Trauma & PTSD:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Complex trauma
• Childhood trauma
• Sexual trauma
• Accident or injury trauma
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy

Relationship Issues:

• Couples therapy and relationship counseling
• Communication problems
• Trust and infidelity
• Pre-marital counseling
• Conflict resolution
• Intimacy issues
• Breakup and divorce adjustment

Life Transitions:

• Career changes and work stress
• Major life changes (moving, graduating, retirement)
• Identity exploration
• Quarter-life and mid-life crises
• Adjustment to new roles (parenthood, caregiving)
• Loss and grief

Additional Areas:

• Self-esteem and confidence building
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Grief and loss counseling
• Family conflict
• LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy
• Multicultural and diversity issues

Therapeutic Approaches:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Evidence-based approach that identifies and changes negative thought patterns and behaviors. Highly effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.

Trauma-Focused Therapy: Specialized techniques to help process traumatic experiences safely and reduce trauma symptoms without re-traumatizing.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Goal-oriented approach that focuses on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Emphasizes your strengths and resources.

Mindfulness-Based Techniques: Incorporates present-moment awareness, meditation, and grounding techniques to manage anxiety and emotional reactivity.

Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence current behavior and relationships.

Humanistic/Person-Centered: Creates a warm, accepting environment where you feel safe to explore yourself without judgment.

Specific Services:

✅ Individual therapy for adults
✅ Couples and relationship counseling
✅ Anxiety treatment and panic management
✅ Depression therapy
✅ Trauma processing (PTSD, complex trauma)
✅ Grief and loss counseling
✅ Life transitions support
✅ Stress management strategies
✅ Self-esteem and confidence building
✅ Communication skills training
✅ Anger management
✅ LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy
✅ Bilingual therapy (English/Spanish)
✅ Telehealth/virtual therapy sessions

Experience & Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Loyola University Chicago
• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: University of Illinois at Chicago
• Continuing Education: Trauma-focused CBT, Couples Therapy, Multicultural Counseling

Licenses & Certifications:

• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) – Illinois
• National Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Trauma-Focused CBT Certified
• LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy Training

Professional Experience:

• 2009-2012: Mental Health Counselor, Community Mental Health Center, Chicago
• 2012-2016: Senior Therapist, Private Practice, Evanston, Illinois
• 2016-Present: Independent Therapist & Practice Owner, Chicago, Illinois
• 2021-Present: Contributing Mental Health Expert, Erothots Health Platform

Achievements & Recognition:

• Successfully helped over 2,800 clients improve mental health
• Specialized training in trauma-informed care
• Bilingual therapy provider serving diverse Chicago communities
• High client retention and satisfaction rates
• Published contributor to mental health resources on Erothots
• Advocate for mental health accessibility and stigma reduction

Professional Memberships:

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Illinois Counseling Association (ICA)
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

Consultation Details

Types of Consultations Offered:

Initial Therapy Consultation (60 minutes) – $150

• Discuss what brings you to therapy
• Your personal history and background
• Current symptoms and challenges
• Previous therapy experiences (if any)
• Goals for therapy
• Treatment approach explanation
• Questions and concerns addressed
• Determine if we’re a good fit

Individual Therapy Session (50 minutes) – $130

• Weekly or bi-weekly ongoing therapy
• Work through specific issues and goals
• Develop coping strategies
• Process emotions and experiences
• Build skills and insights
• Track progress

Couples Therapy Session (60 minutes) – $160

• Joint session with both partners
• Communication skills development
• Conflict resolution strategies
• Relationship pattern exploration
• Intimacy and connection building
• Homework and action steps

Intensive Therapy Session (90 minutes) – $200

• Extended session for deeper work
• Processing complex trauma
• Major life decisions
• Crisis support
• Significant breakthroughs

Telehealth Therapy Session (50 minutes) – $130

• Secure video therapy appointments
• Same quality as in-person sessions
• Convenient for busy schedules
• Available across Illinois
• HIPAA-compliant platform

Session Frequency Options:

• Weekly: Most common for active symptom treatment
• Bi-weekly: For maintenance or less acute concerns
• Monthly: For check-ins and ongoing support
• As-needed: For specific issues or crisis support

What to Expect in Therapy:

First Session: We’ll spend time getting to know each other and understanding what brings you to therapy. This is your opportunity to share your story, and for me to learn about your goals, concerns, and what you hope to gain from our work together.

Ongoing Sessions: Each session builds on the previous one. We’ll work together to identify patterns, develop new perspectives, practice skills, and make meaningful changes. Therapy is collaborative—you’re an active participant, not a passive recipient.

Between Sessions: Sometimes I’ll suggest exercises, journaling, or practicing skills between sessions. These aren’t homework assignments—they’re optional tools to help you make progress faster.

What to Bring:

✓ Open mind and willingness to be honest
✓ Questions or concerns you want to discuss
✓ Insurance card and ID (if using insurance)
✓ Journal or notes (optional)

Insurance & Payment:

Accepted Insurance Plans:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Aetna
• United Healthcare
• Cigna
• Humana
• Medicare
• Many other plans (call to verify)

Payment Options:

• Insurance copay
• Self-pay (sliding scale available for financial hardship)
• HSA/FSA cards accepted
• Credit/debit cards
• Payment plans available

Good Faith Estimate: You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges under federal law.