Martha Gillen

Compassionate counselor focused on practical change

LCMHC North Carolina

Experience: 17 years in practice
Focus areas: Addictions, Anger, Coping with life changes
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing
Languages: English

About Martha

Martha Gillen is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) practicing in North Carolina with 17 years of clinical and supervisory experience.

Background and approach

She has assisted people facing a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, career challenges, relationship and family issues, stress and anger management, self-esteem struggles, compassion fatigue, and drug and alcohol addiction. Her background includes direct work with substance use disorders alongside other life stressors.

Her therapeutic style emphasizes collaboration and respect; she draws on cognitive behavioral techniques alongside motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies to tailor care to each person’s situation. Martha aims to help clients build practical skills, clarify goals, and find motivation for change, while attending to day-to-day coping and longer term recovery needs.

She frames the work as a partnership, supporting clients as they take steps toward a more satisfying life. Those considering therapy can expect a grounded, goal-oriented approach that balances skill-building with encouragement.

Martha welcomes inquiries from English-speaking adults in North Carolina interested in addressing addictions, mood and anxiety concerns, career or relationship stressors, and related challenges.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Martha uses evidence-informed methods that translate well to online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more constructive patterns; it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Motivational Interviewing emphasizes collaboration and strengthening a person’s own motivation for change, which can be especially relevant for those addressing substance use or readiness to make life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Martha treats this as a collaborative exploration. She works with each person to consider goals, preferences, and practical needs, adjusting techniques over time so the plan fits the client’s priorities and pace.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging provides flexibility for people balancing work, family, and other commitments. These formats allow consistent access to sessions, make it easier to use learned skills in daily life, and support ongoing momentum between appointments while keeping the focus on practical, goal-driven work.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

Martha works with a wide variety of issues including addiction, anxiety, depression, stress, anger, relationship and family matters, self-esteem, career concerns, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.

How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?

Her work is collaborative and goal-oriented, blending cognitive behavioral ideas with motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies to help clients build skills and clarify next steps.

What is her professional background and experience?

She brings 17 years of experience as a counselor and supervisor, including clinical work with people facing substance use disorders and other behavioral health concerns.

What credentials does she hold and where is she based?

She holds an LCMHC credential and is licensed in North Carolina under NC LCMHC 8169, practicing within that state.

Does she offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for working together?

Clients can connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and schedule.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy with her?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsAnger managementCoping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepression Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Drug and alcohol addiction

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

17+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English