Meet Martha (pronounced Marrta) Daggett

We recently connected with Martha (pronounced Marrta) Daggett and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Martha (pronounced Marrta), really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

“If I told you my story, you would hear Hope that wouldn’t let go. And if I told you my story, you would hear Love that never gave up. And if I told you my story, you would hear Life, but it wasn’t mine. If I should speak, then let it be of the grace that is greater than all my sin. Of when justice was served and where mercy wins. Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in, oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him” –Big Daddy Weave

My journey resonates deeply with the lyrics of the Big Daddy Weave song above. Originating from an affluent part of the Dominican Republic, my family relocated to the United States during my youth, where I was raised in a conservative household immersed in early morning family worship and regular church attendance. Despite this upbringing, I felt a persistent emptiness, longing for recognition, status, and approval. Pursuing a career in medicine seemed like the path to fulfill these desires, but despite my efforts, academic struggles left me disappointed.

It wasn’t until young adulthood that I made the decision to discover God’s true meaning in my life. Along the way, I came to realize that the God of my childhood was not the same as the God I now know. Initially, I perceived God as waiting for me to fail, indifferent to my concerns, and incapable of loving the parts of myself I struggled to accept. In moments of tragedy and disappointment, this perceived abandonment left me questioning the worth of life itself.

Yet, in the depths of despair, I found comfort in turning to God. Through my darkest moments, I discovered an unexpected abundance: hope, love, and the promise of a renewed life. Trusting God became my anchor, guiding me through adversity and leading me to a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose.

However, trusting God only came after healing from my own past traumas. In my first year after graduate school (2012), I worked at an inpatient addiction and dual diagnosis facility to complete my trainee hours. Working with addiction was not something I was familiar with, so I was grateful for the experience. The staff called addiction a disease, but I described it to my patients as more than just a disease; even in my early experience, I could see that addiction was a symptom of a bigger problem. As I continued to work daily with these patients, I realized many of them had a history of intense trauma. I began to notice that trauma had a significant impact on a patient’s brain and body. I wanted to learn all I could to help my patients, so I began to research the effects of trauma and toxic stress on brain architecture. Suddenly, my entire clinical experience and perspective began to change.

In 2016, I first learned about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study through Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’s powerful TED Talk. Her words resonated deeply, sparking what has since become my passion: educating others about the psychological and physiological impact of trauma on the brain and body. As a clinician, I worked closely with inpatient populations, helping them understand the link between the cycle of addiction and unresolved trauma. This connection was particularly evident at the women’s facility where I worked, as many of the women had their children with them. Seeing firsthand the effects of generational trauma and toxic stress reinforced the urgency of this work.

As an adjunct professor, I began every semester with the Brain Architecture Game, a hands-on activity developed by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University to illustrate how trauma and toxic stress shape brain development. The game also highlights the critical role of resilience and healthy relationships whether through teachers, daycare providers, or other supportive adults in fostering stronger brain architecture. I’ve since incorporated this game into every training I conduct as an introduction to trauma.

My commitment to trauma education extended into my work with the Riverside County court staff, where I trained personnel on Vicarious Trauma. During this training, I introduced the ACE study, guiding participants through the questionnaire as a self-assessment tool to deepen their understanding of the long-term impact of childhood adversity.

As a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Director, I became certified in ACEs through online training, further equipping me to integrate trauma-responsive practices into healthcare settings. Our TIC team worked to implement the ACE questionnaire as a screening tool across our agency, developing protocols for follow-up care for individuals who scored a four or higher. By monitoring patients’ physical and mental health through this lens, we ensured a more comprehensive approach to care.

Due to my experience, knowledge, and passion for working with ACE initiatives to educate individuals about the impact of trauma on the brain and body, I am committed to helping my patients understand trauma better. By providing them with a trauma-informed perspective, I aim to help them heal and see their experiences in a new light.

However, in 2021, at the height of COVID-19, all my dreams of continuing to help others through trauma therapy as the TIC director came to a crashing end. After almost 10 years, I resigned from my position. I never thought I would be able to work in private practice. The desire to help those touched by trauma has never gone away, but the fear of running my own business was always there. After finishing my doctorate, I considered seeing patients again, but the thought of opening my own practice seemed daunting.

However, when a close friend called and asked if I would please see someone she trusted with no one else, I agreed. Because when someone has experienced significant trauma that is impacting their life, and I can do something to help, I want to help. My life was dramatically changed when I reached out for help and found it. Though my own journey was long, painful, and at times difficult, it was worth every step. I now have my own private practice, Bonao Family Therapy, named after a town in the Dominican Republic where I spent much of my childhood. Bonao Family Therapy exists to provide a:

Brave
Opportunity to
Navigate
ACEs
Over time

Healing does not mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives” -Dan Dose

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Dr. Daggett, originally from the Dominican Republic, and my work is centered around mental health, trauma, and education. I hold a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate in Social Work from California Baptist University. My passion lies in helping individuals, families, and communities better understand the impact of trauma—particularly Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—on brain development and overall well-being.

During my doctoral program, I developed a curriculum designed to educate others on the effects of ACEs on brain development, and this research has become the foundation of my small business. Through therapy, classroom interventions, and workshops, I aim to equip individuals with the tools to heal and thrive. My expertise includes crisis intervention, EMDR therapy for trauma recovery, and evidence-based practices like Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

What excites me most about my work is seeing the transformation that happens when people gain knowledge and strategies to navigate the impact of trauma. I believe that education is a powerful tool for change, and I’m committed to increasing public awareness of how ACEs affect emotional and physical health. Whether through one-on-one therapy, training sessions, or speaking engagements, my goal is to foster healing, resilience, and hope.

Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding my trauma workshops and collaborations with community organizations to reach more people. I’m also exploring ways to bring my curriculum to schools and other spaces where it can make a lasting impact. I’d love for readers to reach out and visit my website if they’re interested in learning more or bringing this work to their community!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, three key things have been absolutely essential in my journey, and honestly, I believe God is the reason I have all of them.

First, asking for help and being willing to accept it. It’s easy to feel like we have to figure everything out on our own, but I’ve learned that real growth happens when we allow others to support us. Seeking guidance—whether from mentors, colleagues, or friends—has made all the difference, and I truly believe God placed the right people in my life at the right time.

Second, building relationships. This isn’t just about networking it’s about truly connecting with people. Relationships have opened doors, provided encouragement, and reminded me that success isn’t just about what you know but also about the people you surround yourself with. I’ve seen how God has used relationships to guide and grow me, and that’s something I don’t take for granted.

And finally, having the support of my family and making them a priority. I could not have done this journey without them. It’s so easy to get caught up in work, responsibilities, and goals, but I’ve learned that maintaining strong connections with my family keeps me grounded. Making time for them isn’t just important it’s necessary.

For those just starting out, my advice is simple: Be open to help, invest in relationships, and never lose sight of the people who matter most. And for me, knowing that God is behind it all gives me the strength and wisdom to keep going. As the song ‘Constant’ by Maverick City Music beautifully expresses, God is constant a reminder that even in the most challenging moments, He is always there, guiding us forward.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One of the most impactful books in my development has been Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. This book opened my eyes to the struggles that women around the world face and, more importantly, to their resilience, courage, and unwavering fight for change.

What stood out to me most was the idea that even when it feels like our fight doesn’t matter, it truly does. Sometimes, we think that our voice, our work, or our passion isn’t making an impact—but then, all of a sudden, we get a breakthrough. It reaches someone, it inspires action, and a ripple effect begins. That’s what Half the Sky showed me. These women believed in something, often against all odds. They fought for their rights, for their dignity, for change—even when no one else believed in them. For some, their very lives depended on it, but they kept pushing forward.

And then, that ripple turned into a wave. Their fight became too strong to be ignored, and it created lasting change—not just for them, but for generations to come. This book taught me that no matter how small an effort may seem, it has the power to spark something bigger than we can imagine. We are all capable of leaving a mark in the world, and by continuing the fight for what we believe in, we ensure that the ripple never stops.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bonaotherapy.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-daggett

Image Credits

Rachel Ann Daggett