About Me
Many people think that therapists are fully “resolved,” always wise and emotionally regulated. Wouldn’t that be nice? The truth is that they are human beings too. They struggle too. For a good reason, they often have been called “wounded healers.”
Well, I am proud to acknowledge that I, too, am a “wounded healer.” Thankfully, I have been learning how to work with my struggles, how to approach them, “dissemble” them, and overcome them. Having my degrees, licenses, and other credentials helps! It helps a lot! It made it possible for me to have my practice. However, having its own share of life experiences adds tremendously to my work with clients.
Let's Dissemble Your Struggle
Over the years we accumulate various life experiences. We acquire patterns and behaviors. Based on these, we develop certain ways of looking at ourselves and others. To make things even more complicated, we feel. We feel all day, every day—even if we are not aware of how or what we feel. With all of the outside output (every day stressors, such as kids, work, relationships) and internal input (feelings and sensations), it’s no wonder we struggle. I like to think of myself as therapist who disassembles people’s narratives, experiences, and emotions, and helps them put them back together in a way that feels better…kind of like an engineer who disassembles hundreds of pieces of a machinery and redesigns them in how he puts them back together so that they run smoothly.
A Little Bit About Me
I am originally from Poland and immigrated to the United States in 2001. I arrived here as an au pair. I quickly realized that I wanted to go to school and get a degree in psychology. One of the reasons why I decided to train in applied counseling and family and marriage therapy was because as a live-in nanny I got to observe various struggles that the families I worked for were dealing with. I wanted to understand more about the interpersonal dynamics between family members and couples, as well as intrapersonal dynamics (all the various internal conflicts that we may feel on the inside).
In 2010 I worked as a therapist with at Attachment Treatment and Training Institute in Evergreen, where I received training in working with internationally adopted children and their parents. At Denver Family Institute, I discovered my passion for couples therapy. I worked intensively on rebuilding connection and trust between partners. That is also where I worked as a supervisor training other therapists in couples work. Finally, I spent a few years at Summitstone Health Partners in Fort Collins, working with families whose children were at risk of out-of-home placements due to their emotional and behavioral struggles.
Becoming a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor was one of the biggest highlights of my career. Currently, I am continuing my training in a modality called Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, and practicing all of the skills I have learned so far.
Growing as a therapist (and a person!) is something that is extremely important to me. Annually, I attend multiple trainings, and I receive regular supervision. I strongly believe that investing in my growth as a therapist is required so that I can be my best self for my clients.
Who am I outside the therapy office?
I am a very happy and fulfilled wife, mom to our furry animals, sister, friend, and colleague. I love to travel, explore new places, and try new foods. I would like to say that I like to cook new recipes, but the truth is that I only look for new recipes and stick with cooking my Polish food. Among other activities, hiking, running, exercising, and spending time with my family are the things I enjoy and look forward to.
Educational Background
- Denver Family Institute, Denver, CO Post-Graduate, Advanced Training in Marriage and Family Therapy
- University of Northern Colorado, Denver, CO Master of Arts, Clinical Counseling; Emphasis: Couples and Family Therapy
- Regis University, School for Professional Studies, Denver, CO Bachelor of Science, Applied Psychology; Minor: Communication
Licenses
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Colorado, Registered with DORA # 1101
- AAMFT Approved Supervisor
- Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Certified EFT Supervisor with ICEEFT
Professional Affiliations
Toby, Marta’s Labradoodle has been joining Marta in her therapy sessions.
He adds smiles to everyone’s faces.
