We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Martinez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maria , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I believe that taking risks starts with a deep belief in yourself and your ability to navigate whatever challenges come your way. At its core, taking a risk is a leap of faith—you have to trust that, no matter the outcome, you’ll figure it out. It also requires believing in something that isn’t visible yet. When we take risks, we’re stepping into the unknown, and if we already knew the outcome, it wouldn’t really be a risk.
I credit much of my ability to take risks to my mother. She migrated to the United States from El Salvador with two young daughters, leaving behind everything she knew and without any certainty of how things would turn out. She worked incredibly hard, kept us safe, and faced the immense pressure of starting over in a new country. Watching her navigate those challenges taught me from an early age that taking a risk is about having confidence in yourself, and in your ability to make things happen for yourself. I often ask myself, “Do I have what it takes to make this work?” And the answer is always yes—because if my mother could do what she did, then I can do anything too. So from an early age I began operating in this way, knowing that a risk means how much I am willing to believe in my ability to make things work, no matter the circumstances. Sometimes it doesn’t mean that we will succeed in everything, but we have to keep moving forward and trying new things. Otherwise we get stuck in situations that no longer resonate with us, or make us happy, all because we are unwilling to take risks with our lives. To whoever is reading this, take a risk, don’t get stuck in life, beautiful things come out of taking risks.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a licensed therapist dedicated to helping individuals overcome their mental health challenges and rediscover their true selves. One of the populations I’m most passionate about working with is survivors of childhood sexual trauma. It’s an honor to witness their courage as they confront their trauma and, through our work together, reclaim their bodies, minds, and slowly rediscover peace and joy.
In addition to being a therapist, I’m also the owner of a group mental health practice. Our practice primarily focuses on healing trauma from childhood, whether it’s physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or neglect, and addressing its many effects—not just PTSD, but also anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and other related struggles. What sets us apart is that we’re a team of Latinx clinicians who speak Spanish, which resonates deeply with our Latinx clients. We have an understanding of the cultural factors that often influence their challenges, and that connection fosters trust and healing.
What excites me the most is the ability to balance both roles—working directly with clients and supporting my team of clinicians as we serve our community on a larger scale. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help people heal while also growing a practice that can make a lasting impact.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that have been pivotal in my journey are my openness to learning, my adaptability, and my persistence. These qualities complement each other and create a cycle of continuous growth: being open to learning allows me to gain new insights, adaptability helps me apply that knowledge in changing circumstances, and persistence ensures I push forward, even in the face of challenges. Together, they have enabled me to evolve and succeed in whatever I pursue.
Looking back, I realize these qualities align with the concept of a “growth mindset,” a term I wasn’t familiar with when I first began developing these skills. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be cultivated through effort, learning, and persistence. It’s about embracing challenges, viewing failures as opportunities to grow, and staying determined in the face of obstacles. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many people give up when faced with difficulty or failure, believing it’s a sign to abandon their goals. However, those with a growth mindset understand that failure is not the end—it’s a chance to learn, adapt, and try again until they succeed.
My advice is to cultivate a growth mindset. Embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and keep adjusting your approach until you find what works. The key to success is not in avoiding failure but in continuously learning and adapting until you persevere.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
My answer to this is two-fold. I firmly believe that we need to know our strengths well and lean into them. When we focus on what we’re naturally good at and keep building on those strengths, it leads us toward success. What excites you? What are you skilled at? By concentrating on those areas, you’ll grow and excel far beyond where you might otherwise. However, since we can’t be great at everything, it’s equally important to be mindful of the areas that challenge us. Rather than trying to master everything, we should be willing to delegate or ask for help in areas where we’re not as strong.
For example, I love working with clients in therapy, analyzing the financial and statistical data for our practice, and setting goals that drive growth. These are my strengths, and they allow me to focus on what I enjoy while moving the business forward. On the flip side, I’m not great at answering calls, scheduling appointments, or handling taxes. So, I have an amazing admin who manages client calls and scheduling, and an accountant who ensures our financials are accurate and compliant. This system works perfectly for me because it frees up my time to focus on what I do best.
In short, it’s essential to double down on your strengths and seek help in areas where you aren’t as proficient. You don’t need to be good at everything; you just need to know when to ask for support. This balance allows you to stay focused on what you excel at, without getting sidetracked by the things that might slow you down.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://healingbluetherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingbluetherapy/?locale=pt_PT
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-martinez-lcsw-477255175/?trk=public_profile_browsemap
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