I am really glad you contacted Betterhelp. I am optimistic, over the course of our times together you will come to trust me and see me more as a partner, helping you find peace and reaching your goals. When I have clients face to face in my office, I tell them during the first session, “This is the safest room in Texas.” You can say anything you want to say, anyway you want to say it. I will never judge you. I would like to come along side you and provide support and encouragement. Hopefully, during our times together you will find the insight you need to accomplish your life goals.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed in Texas and in Missouri. I earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Human Services and a Master's of Arts degree in Counseling from Evangel University. I have worked with adolescents, adults, couples and families over the course of my career. I am well experienced in trauma and PTSD. During the first week after the Joplin, MO F5 tornado in 2011, I was the lead counselor for the American Red Cross Shelter. Serving as a a counselor in the aftermath of many natural disasters has been very fulfilling. In 2018 I was onsite and provided counseling services in the aftermath of the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas resulting in the deaths of 10 students and teachers. It has been a privilege to conduct workshops and set on conference panels for trauma and counseling. I am also an adjunct professor for my alma mater teaching courses on psychology, human services, personal relationships, sociology, etc.
I believe strongly that you are your own expert. No one knows you like you know yourself. I believe you have everything you need inside of you to work out the issues you are bringing into these sessions. My role will be to listen closely to what you say. As I listen, I will from time to time encourage you to further explain or go deeper into the matter you are discussing. Sometimes I might ask questions to help you think deeper about something you said, or to explore alternatives to your thoughts and feelings. Processing your own thoughts can be an emotional and strange activity. It will be really imperative for you to be honest during our times together. This is not so I can know the truth, but rather for you to explore the truth yourself and not hide things from yourself. It is important to be honest with ourselves in order to find the answers and ultimately the peace we are looking for in ourselves.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Depression, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Fertility Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MO LPC 2011009728
TX LPC 78520
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Martin Ward. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
The most amazing counselor I’ve ever had. Before him I need someone to desperately talk to and guidance within my life. Mr. Ward really helped me talk through my problems. He helped me grow so much! He helped me learn so much. I’m so grateful to have had him as my counselor. May God continue to bless your ministry Mr. Ward. Thank you, I am forever grateful!
Written on Feb 17, 2021 after therapy with Martin for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and self esteem
Great counseling
Written on Dec 02, 2020 after therapy with Martin for 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues
Martin was an excellent fit for me. We had rapport almost immediately and he gave me the support I needed to make progress I had not ever been able to make with other therapists. I can unequivocally give my highest endorsement of his professionalism and skill, but also the care, concern, and humanity he shows his clients.
Written on Sep 04, 2020 after therapy with Martin for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Me. Ward is very patient and understanding when it came to talking about myself and had helped me trough hurtles in my life .He is great and everybody should know of his work .
Written on Jul 09, 2020 after therapy with Martin for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Martin has been a wonderful counselor for me. I always am comfortable knowing that with him I am in a judge-free zone and I can talk about my feelings.
Written on May 04, 2020 after therapy with Martin for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and anger management