Dr. Marika Martin, PhD, LCMFT, who sees clients in Maryland, Virginia, and DC, has worked with couples, individuals, and families for more than 20 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Family Life Educator.

Dr. Martin describes her approach as eclectic, because she uses techniques from a variety of therapy models, including Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples, which focuses on restoring emotional connection. She believes that improving a relationship often depends on addressing underlying communication problems.

Before starting treatment, she conducts a thorough assessment to pinpoint strengths and stress points of each person and the relationship.

Dr. Martin is a marriage-friendly therapist, which means that when working with married couples she takes seriously the commitment of marriage. With all couples, she strives to help restore their bond, even when they’re discouraged about the relationship. She is trained in a brief divorce prevention technique, called Discernment Therapy, to help couples decide if their relationship can be saved.

She also offers premarital counseling to help couples prepare for marriage using a 4-session, private program called Happily Ever After, which includes a relationship assessment and skills-focused workbook.

Dr. Martin offers therapy for individuals who have experienced trauma using EMDR, a powerful, short-term, cognitive technique known to create rapid breakthroughs and facilitate personal growth.

Dr. Martin holds a Doctorate and two Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Science. She has conducted research on African American university students’ attitudes about marriage, as well as on relationship satisfaction in Black, interracial, and multi-ethnic couples. She is a member of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, which embraces a multicultural approach in support of clients’ worth, dignity, and potential.

Dr. Martin has devoted her life to helping people. Her approach embodies the warm and caring relationship she creates with each of her clients.

“I believe that being genuine is an important part of being a therapist. It’s easier to open up when you feel comfortable, safe, and trusting,” she says. “With couples, I am sure to support each partner’s needs and perspectives.”

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