Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach
Reaching out for help can feel daunting, especially in seasons of pain, loss, or transition. It’s easy to believe no one could possibly understand—and to keep smiling, fighting, or faking it through the struggle. I know that feeling firsthand. When a friend encouraged me to see her counselor, I finally dropped the mask and scheduled an appointment. In that space I found safety, strength, and clarity. Healing began, and with it, a return to myself. That experience propelled me into counseling as a way of paying it forward.
In therapy, we will unwrap your story, identify your strengths, and use them as ballast for the waters ahead. Whether you are facing current struggles or unhealed wounds from the past, change is possible. Growth and restoration are possible. And you don’t have to walk through it alone. Clients often tell me my direct yet compassionate approach helps cut through the noise so they can take confident steps forward.
What to Expect in Therapy
People seek counseling for many reasons—grief and loss, anxiety and depression, relational strain, life transitions, or simply a desire for greater clarity and growth. Whatever brings you here will shape the focus of our work together. My role is to create a safe, trusting environment where you can explore and heal. Drawing from Brainspotting, CBT, narrative therapy, and other modalities, I tailor my approach to what serves you best.
Personal Qualifications and Experience
Before becoming a therapist, I served as a Fortune 1000 Vice President, a university Dean, and co-authored a book on Generation X. Decades of navigating the intersections of career, leadership, family, and faith have equipped me with a depth of empathy, perspective, and practical wisdom. I hold an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, am a certified Brainspotter, and specialize in Adult ADHD. My clients value my ability to blend clinical depth with real-world insight—an uncommon perspective that produces clarity, resilience, and durable results.
I work with individuals, couples, and families who are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and life transitions. I also advise and consult with high-capacity leaders, integrating therapeutic insight with executive experience to address challenges that span both personal and professional life. From the family room to the boardroom, this dual lens enables clients to achieve results that last.
Personal Interests
Outside of my professional work, I’m deeply invested in mentoring young adults in their twenties and thirties—a season of life rich with growth, transition, and identity-shaping decisions. I also enjoy coming alongside women as they step into greater confidence and freedom in Christ. With more than thirty years of marriage, three grown children, and leadership roles in both corporate and educational settings, I understand the challenges of balancing personal, relational, and professional life. These experiences shape the empathy, perspective, and steadiness I bring to clients, who often tell me my mix of warmth, humor, and directness helps them face hard truths and move forward with confidence.
Counseling Blogs Written By Jo Martin
The Difference Between Christian Counseling, Mentorship, and Professional Coaching
Faith Over Feelings: How to Discern Truth When Emotions Run High
Pretending is Killing Your Soul
