Svetlana Martz
Counseling Intern | Teens, Young Adults & Adults
Adoption & Identity • Chronic Pain & Illness • Anxiety & Depression • Trauma & Women’s Issues
I’m a counseling intern at Grand Canyon University pursuing my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in trauma counseling. My own experiences navigating adoption, major transitions, and difficult seasons have shaped my belief that our past may be part of our story, but it does not have to define what comes next.
Adopted from Russia at age seven, I understand that questions of identity, belonging, loss, and resilience can be complex and deeply personal. My goal is to create a compassionate, judgment-free space where you can bring all parts of yourself into therapy while developing practical tools, recognizing your strengths, and moving toward a life that feels meaningful to you.
You Might Be a Good Fit If...
You’re navigating the emotional complexities of adoption, identity, or belonging
Chronic pain or illness is affecting your emotional well-being or sense of self
Anxiety or depression is making everyday life feel more difficult
Trauma or past experiences continue to influence how you feel or respond
You’re moving through a significant transition or uncertain season
You’re struggling with confidence, purpose, or feeling connected to yourself
Women’s health or life experiences are affecting your emotional well-being
You want therapy that balances compassion, deeper exploration, and practical coping skills
My Approach
My therapeutic approach may incorporate:
Person-Centered Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Trauma-Informed Care
Strengths-Based Therapy
Faith or Spiritual Integration, when desired
As a counseling intern, my clinical work is completed within the appropriate supervision structure while I pursue my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University.
I believe everyone has a unique story and deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful life regardless of where they came from or what they are currently going through.
My role is to provide a space free from judgment where you can express all parts of yourself with honesty. I approach therapy with compassion and patience while also helping you identify practical tools that can support you outside of our sessions.
I use person-centered care alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to create an empowering, strengths-based approach tailored to your individual needs.
For clients who find spirituality or faith important to their healing, I’m also comfortable making room for those beliefs in our work together.
How I Can Help
Adoption, Identity & Belonging
Adoption can carry many experiences at once—connection, loss, questions about identity, belonging, family, culture, and the meaning we make of where we come from.
As an adoptee myself, I understand that these experiences do not always fit into a simple narrative. Therapy can provide space to explore your own story without assumptions about how you should feel, while helping you better understand your identity, relationships, strengths, and what feels meaningful to you.
Chronic Pain & Illness
Living with chronic pain or illness can affect much more than physical health. It may change routines, relationships, independence, identity, and the way you imagine your future.
I provide space to process the emotional impact of these experiences while developing practical ways to navigate uncertainty, stress, grief, and change with greater self-compassion and resilience.
Anxiety, Depression & Trauma
Anxiety, depression, and trauma can make it difficult to feel grounded, hopeful, or connected to yourself. Past experiences may also continue showing up through thoughts, emotions, relationships, or patterns that are difficult to change.
Together, we can better understand what you’re experiencing, develop healthier coping strategies, and work toward greater emotional stability and confidence.
Women’s Issues & Life Transitions
Different stages of life can bring shifts in identity, relationships, expectations, health, and responsibilities. These changes may be expected or unexpected, but they can still leave you wondering where you fit or what comes next.
I support women navigating difficult transitions and emotional challenges while creating space to reconnect with their strengths, values, and sense of purpose.