My Experience
I received my Master of Arts from New York University and gained my licensing hours in a number of clinical settings, including domestic violence support and care, school-based therapy, intensive trauma recovery treatment, addiction treatment, and long-term mental health rehabilitation.
My work continued to evolve as I worked home-based care for adolescents and families that were experiencing crisis. I worked extensively in acute inpatient psychiatric units with patients aged across the lifespan, in addition to patients on the spectrum and who were pregnant. I hold certification as a Lucid Body teacher www.lucidbody.com that is a form of movement and self-exploration, which allows the participant to gain insight about themselves through deep somatic awareness. I was given a unique opportunity to work closely with youth in Uganda in providing community-based theatre education and experiences. In December 2017, I was elected as The Government Affairs Chair, on the Board of Directors of The North American Drama Therapy Association, leading me to speak on Capitol Hill, in Washington DC, in an effort to advocate for the arts and the creative arts therapies.
I have helped children, adolescents, adults and families tap into their own bravery to work through issues related to domestic violence, childhood trauma, mental illness, addiction, parenting support, bullying, school-related stress, opposition and anger, depression, low self-esteem, perinatal challenges, new motherhood and more.
Credentials +
Publications
Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado, #0015466
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, New York, #001681
Registered Drama Therapist, North America, #503
Martinez, A. K. (2018), “This way to the playground: A drama therapeutic treatment protocol for the parentified child who has witnessed domestic violence’, Drama Therapy Review, 4:1, pp. 101-116