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Sylvia Martin, M.A. - Therapist, Psychological Assistant

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Sylvia Martin attained her Bachelor of Science degree from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California with a minor in Spanish language as an International Exchange student in Barcelona, Spain. Sylvia completed her doctoral coursework through an APA accredited Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program at California Lutheran University. She has over 10 years of experience working in mental health care with individuals of all ages including children, adolescents, young adults, professional adults, and elderly. She has expertise with individuals and families struggling with interpersonal violence, and several years in of direct clinical care in residential treatment centers for adults and young adults struggling with dual-diagnoses of mental health and addiction issues. She has also provided therapeutic sessions in skilled nursing facilities to help elders cope with their end-of-life process. 

When working with people, Sylvia is interested in understanding the whole person through understanding their worldview and experience of themselves in relation to others. She uses a wholistic approach that looks at the person and not only at their symptomatology. She seeks to understand meaning and significance to the person’s experiences. She uses a psychodynamic approach in her individual and group treatment, working from theories by Melanie Klein and Wilfred Bion to guide an understanding of how current states of mind are connected to early life experiences. The philosophy of change that guides her practice is an understanding that developing awareness opens space for the individual to move from a reflexive to a reflective place in order to make desired changes.   

With her early professional years in applied behavioral analysis, Sylvia has been able to support clients in making behavioral changes to improve their lives. Sylvia brings her strongest passion to Amend Treatment, which is to provide meaningful growth and help the individuals and families of those who are struggling to find their passion for life. She collaborates with clients to not only adjust to their present challenges but to thrive and build resiliency.

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