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LCSW · CCTP-II · C-DBT · LICENSED IN TEXAS
Welcome! I'm
Elizabeth Martinez
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Embodied Resilience Therapy, specializing in play therapy for children and support for the parents and caregivers who love them. I believe deeply in every child's capacity to heal and in the power of play to make that happen.
Trauma-Informed
Every session is guided by an understanding of how trauma shapes the whole person.
Culturally Responsive
I honor the cultural context and lived experience each person brings into the room.
Whole-Person Care
Mind, body, and spirit I believe healing is interconnected and deeply personal.
Relational & Warm
I bring genuine care, humor, and warmth because healing happens in safe relationships.
MY STORY
Where Children
Heal, Play,
& Grow.
"I believe every child carries an extraordinary capacity for healing and that capacity comes alive in the safety of play."
I'm Elizabeth Martinez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Embodied Resilience Therapy. At the heart of my work is a deep belief in the power of play and in the resilience every child already carries within them.
I specialize in play therapy for children ages 3–12 and support for the parents and caregivers who love them. I chose this work because I've seen firsthand what happens when a child finally has a space that is truly theirs, a place where they can express what they don't yet have words for, process what feels too big to hold, and simply be kids again.
"
Play is not a break from healing; it is how children heal. And I get to witness that every single day.
I also work closely with parents and caregivers because I know that a child's well-being is deeply connected to the adults around them. When caregivers feel supported, seen, and equipped, children thrive. That's why I offer dedicated caregiver support alongside children's therapy, creating a whole-family approach to healing.
As a child of immigrants, I bring a personal understanding of the unique pressures facing immigrant and Latinx families, including the fear, grief, and uncertainty that can come with navigating life in a new country. I also offer immigration mental health evaluations and free counseling for those impacted by ICE enforcement, because I believe access to care should never depend on documentation status or ability to pay.
My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in warmth. I'm licensed in Texas and hold advanced training in trauma-focused care and dialectical behavior therapy.
— Elizabeth Martinez, LCSW
HOW I WORK
My Therapeutic Approach
01
Play Therapy
Children communicate through play. I provide a safe, nurturing space for children ages 3–12 to process emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills through play, art, and creative expression.
04
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
As a Certified DBT practitioner, I draw on evidence-based DBT skills to help clients manage emotions, improve relationships, and build lives worth living with practical tools that work in real life.
02
Parent & Caregiver Support
Supporting your child starts with supporting yourself. I offer a compassionate space for caregivers to build tools, strengthen connections, and navigate the challenges of raising children, especially through difficult transitions.
05
Culturally Responsive Practice
I recognize that identity, culture, and lived experience are inseparable from mental health. As a child of immigrants, I bring both professional training and personal understanding to every session.
03
Trauma-Informed Care
Every aspect of my practice is shaped by an understanding of how trauma affects the nervous system, behavior, and relationships, and how to create genuine safety within the therapeutic space.
06
Immigration Evaluations
I specialize in psychological evaluations for asylum, VAWA, U-Visa, and hardship waiver cases written with empathy and precision, meeting both legal and clinical standards while reflecting your full humanity.
Immigration Evaluations
Education & Licensure
Training &
Credentials
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
State of Texas
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II (CCTP-II)
Advanced trauma-focused care
Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT)
Evidence-based skills for emotional regulation
Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
University of Texas at San Antonio
Areas of Credentials
Play Therapy
Parent & Caregiver Support
Immigration Evaluations
Child & Adolescent Trauma
DBT Skills
Latinx Communities
Adoption & Foster Care
POPULATIONS I SERVE
Children ages 3–12
Parents & caregivers
Immigrant & mixed-status families
ICE & detention-affected individuals
Latinx & Spanish-speaking communities
Asylum seekers & VAWA survivors
A Note to
Anyone Considering Therapy
Whether you're bringing your child in for play therapy, looking for support as a caregiver, or navigating the complexities of immigration, I want you to know there's no "right" way to start. You don't need to have the perfect words or know exactly what you need.
You just have to show up. I'll meet you and your child there.
My door is open for children, families, and anyone in our community who needs support, regardless of immigration status, income, or background. Every person who walks through this door deserves warmth, dignity, and care.
-Elizabeth Martinez, LCSW
MY BELIEF
"Play is not a break from healing; it is how children heal."
MY COMMITMENT
"When caregivers feel supported and seen, children thrive. I hold space for the whole family."
MY PROMISE
"Every child who walks through my door is met with warmth, safety, and the freedom to just be a kid."