We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Martinez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria , thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was leaving my well-paying, stable job as a program manager at a hospital to pursue a mental health private practice, eventually expanding it into a group practice. Growing up as an immigrant, arriving in the U.S. at 8 years old with my mom and baby sister, survival was our main focus. As a child of immigrants, we’re often taught to be grateful just for having a job—security is everything. Leaving something stable to start my own business felt terrifying because it defied what was ingrained in me, both as a person of color and as a woman. But taking risks is a leap of faith—a faith in ourselves. I asked myself, “Do I believe in myself enough to know that no matter how I land, I’ll figure it out?” And the answer was yes.

I started my practice part-time, balancing it alongside my full-time job for two years. Once I fully transitioned into my practice, it felt like I was finally stepping into my purpose. That same year, I hired additional clinicians, and now we’re a team of four therapists with an incredible admin. While there’s still hard work ahead and plans to expand, I have no regrets. My group practice has become a sanctuary for our community, where people can heal from trauma in a safe, supportive space. Taking that risk has allowed me to make a bigger impact than I ever imagined.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a mother to two amazing daughters, ages 12 and 16, who are my constant source of inspiration and joy. In addition to being a mom, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which means I’m a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, and as the owner of my group practice, I’m also a business owner. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the struggles my mother and our community faced, which fueled my desire to work in a field that helps people overcome their challenges. Earning my Master’s in Social Work became the path to fulfilling that purpose.

Through my work, I’ve come to understand the profound impact that trauma—especially childhood trauma like sexual, physical, and emotional abuse—has on a person’s ability to function in life. These experiences can lead to mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, but they also manifest in struggles people would not associate with trauma, such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and people-pleasing tendencies. In addition, if you’re immigrant or a child of immigrants, trauma begins long before arriving in the U.S., and it continues in the face of the challenges they encounter once they’re here.

My practice is built on the foundation of helping individuals heal from these childhood wounds, allowing them to discover or rediscover their authentic selves—the person they were before life’s circumstances altered their path. I’m proud to create a space where people can find healing and empowerment. So my brand is about reconnecting to yourself again, coming back home to yourself.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that starting your own business is too complicated or overwhelming. Growing up, I often heard that running a business was too difficult, and when I began sharing my plans to launch my own practice, I was met with similar concerns—people warning me about how intimidating it is to handle employment laws, payroll, health insurance, taxes, and more. While I’m not saying it’s easy, I’ve realized that these fears often prevent incredibly talented people from taking that leap of faith.

I believe deeply in learning as I go. Yes, there’s a learning curve, but I’ve discovered that it’s all manageable with the right mindset and a willingness to adapt. On top of that, as a woman of color, I’ve noticed even more hesitation and fear from those in my community. There’s often this additional layer of self-doubt, and I want to encourage anyone reading this to push past that. If you’re willing to learn and embrace the process, it’s not as hard as it seems. Take the risk—it’s worth it. Working for yourself can be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for us has been our website. Clients are drawn to the mission of our practice, the unique bios of our therapists, and the way we describe our services. Even though I don’t write blogs often, the ones we have posted receive a lot of views, and many clients reach out because they connect with what’s written. One key takeaway is the importance of using language that truly resonates with your ideal client. The language on our website is crafted to make clients feel understood, reassured that we can help, and allows our therapists’ personalities to shine, helping potential clients choose the right fit.

It’s also crucial to invest in SEO, whether you learn it yourself or hire an expert. Good SEO helps your website rank higher on Google, but it requires patience. Ultimately, your website is a powerful tool, and with the right strategy, it can become an essential driver for bringing in new clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HealingBlueTherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingbluetherapy/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-martinez-lcsw-477255175