Hi I’m Debra DeMartino! I have been a Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years, and I have loved every minute of this work. Human behavior and emotional experiences have been fascinating to me for as long as I can remember. Aside from my formal education, I have always (and continue to) read and learn the latest findings and techniques for the most effective therapeutic outcomes. As a result, I am well equipped to offer a variety of different approaches to help individuals that work with me gain self-knowledge, and see results more quickly. Personal experiences and losses contribute to my knowledge and empathic style and clients often report feeling “deeply understood and supported.”

With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work, I have keen insight into the emotional issues at hand, as well as the influence that relationships and personal environment may contribute to a person’s life experiences. This information is useful so that the client can understand all influences in their life and establish clear and manageable goals when choosing to.

My early years in this field were centered in working with young adults and their families, which led to a heightened understanding of family dynamics. In more recent years, I have had the good fortune to work directly with some wonderful authors on the topics of coping skills and communication skills. Both are essential to creating a balanced life in my opinion. These experiences have impacted my expertise in these areas, and my clients benefit directly from the extensive tools that I offer in their therapeutic work with me as a result.

Healthy coping skills are essential for dealing with stressful situations, and can help an individual face a situation, take action, and persist in solving a problem. Unhealthy coping behaviors often provide instant gratification and lead to greater distress and negative consequences in the long run. Such is the case with “emotional eating.” My training with Tricia Nelson, the author of “Heal Your Hunger, 7 Simple Steps to End Emotional Eating Now,” has led me to help many people address this particular issue. I have facilitated groups on this topic as well. The result is that individuals find healthier ways to cope with their emotions, which not only helps in better decision making, but raises self-esteem.

I have also done extensive training with Debra Roberts, LCSW, author of “The Relationship Protocol…How to Talk, Diffuse and Build Healthier Relationships.” This work leads me to offer simple, easy to learn tools for communication that lead to exemplary results. The ability to master the life skill of being a good communicator, leads to greater confidence and better relationships overall. Without the confidence to share oneself with words, they may go unsaid, and this can lead to anxiety and depression. I consider communication to be a healthy coping skill for this reason. When couples do this work together, they often resolve their issues more quickly and report feeling connected to their partners in a much more fulfilling way. The bonus is that they feel better about themselves as well!

This is the work I do and love. I have clear vision into the needs of my client, and I find no greater pleasure than in seeing the individuals and couples that work with me reach their fullest potential and find greater happiness in their lives.