We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For many years, I envisioned creating a mental health private practice. My goal was to build something that not only allowed me the independence to work on my own terms but also contributed meaningfully to my community. Trauma is particularly prevalent in the Latino community, often stemming from experiences like immigration, generational poverty, discrimination, and the challenges of acculturation. Many in our community have endured hardship and adversity, yet mental health services are often inaccessible or not culturally attuned to their unique needs. I wanted to build a practice that addresses these gaps, offering trauma-informed care that respects our cultural values and provides a safe space for healing.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart is that we are a team of Latino therapists, providing therapy in both English and Spanish, making mental health services more accessible and culturally attuned to our community. We’re all bilingual and particularly skilled in treating trauma, especially as it relates to toxic patterns and behaviors prevalent in the Latino community. I take great pride in being a Latina business owner, striving to make a positive impact in my corner of the world.

My journey to where I am today hasn’t been easy. As the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new culture and learning a new language. Those early experiences shaped me, pushing me to pursue higher education, which ultimately led to my work as a therapist and later as a program manager for a grant. In that role, I developed the business skills and confidence I needed to launch my own practice.

From the start, I envisioned creating a group practice, knowing that the impact I wanted to have on the community couldn’t be achieved alone. What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is that we are a testament to perseverance. We can overcome our challenges through hard work, and we can do so with softness, love, and hope—for ourselves, our community, and the world around us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, I’d create a mix of iconic spots and local gems. We’d start with exploring Downtown LA, visiting The Broad Museum, Grand Central Market, and taking in the Arts District. For beach vibes, we’d spend a day in Santa Monica and Venice Beach, biking along the coast, shopping on Abbot Kinney, and grabbing seafood at The Lobster. A day trip to Malibu would include breakfast at Malibu Farm Café, relaxing at El Matador Beach, and wine tasting at Rosenthal. For culture, we’d hike Griffith Park to see the Observatory and Hollywood Sign, then explore LACMA and The Grove. We’d enjoy Silver Lake’s trendy spots like Echo Park Lake, Pine & Crane for lunch, and Bar Stella for evening drinks. A Disneyland day would be essential, and we’d wrap the week with shopping on Melrose, hiking Runyon Canyon, and a final dinner at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood. It would be a perfect balance of relaxation, food, and culture.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I absolutely have to recognize my family for the role they’ve played in my journey. My daughters, Sophia and Melody, are the heart of my inspiration and the driving force behind everything I do. My mom and siblings have always been my biggest supporters, encouraging me to pursue even the wildest of dreams with unwavering faith, which I am extremely grateful for. I’m also incredibly grateful for my dedicated team of therapists, whose hard work and support have been invaluable. And having my sister by my side in this venture is a true blessing—I couldn’t ask for a better support.

Website: https://www.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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