Psychiatric Counseling – Hewlett, NY

Martha I. Brand

My journey in the field of Addictive Diseases and Behavioral Health began in 1995, at an outpatient clinic in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The great work with this diverse community led to my position as Treatment Supervisor in a residential treatment center in Harlem, New York. The focus was to work closely with a multidisciplinary team assisting women who had the courage to turn away from substance use and devote their lives to raising their children while obtaining marketable skills in pursuit of self-sufficiency.

The skills I acquired led to my work in Queens and the establishment of private practice in the most diverse area of NYC. This setting has been the most rewarding experience for me as it offered the opportunity to interact with a broad spectrum of wonderful individuals with a vested interest in embracing his/her best self. This is also where I developed a healthy rapport with the LGBTQ community and provided pre/post counseling during the gender reassignment process. Nothing could have prepared me for the hands-on experience with survivors, first responders, and family members of fallen victims of 9/11; when the United States was under attack and New York City was on red alert. Other meaningful clinical work includes providing psychotherapy to individuals suffering from chronic mental illness and substance use disorders in an outpatient hospital setting in Garden City, New York.

Major life events contributed to my relocating to Texas in 2016. I was hired to welcome immigrant families arriving in the United States of America seeking asylum. Most were fleeing extreme violence, threats of harm from local drug lords and cartels, human trafficking/hostage situations and harsh political/religious persecution. In Dallas, I had the privilege of assisting victims of street crimes overcome traumatic experiences and resume their optimum level of functioning.

I maintain active licensure in New York State and Texas. I am a Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider (CTMHP) with specialized training in Critical Incident and Stress Debriefing (CISD), Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, Addictive Diseases, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).

I believe my higher power places me where I need to be. Individual supportive psychotherapy is an intimate journey designed to help the client embrace the various experiences that result in the person he/she may be today.

Starting from a strengths perspective, I aim to help my patients heal from painful past experiences, develop healthy coping mechanisms, increase innate resiliency, self-awareness and self-determination. Successful outcomes have been confirmed by individuals who report feeling brighter, stronger, lighter, relaxed, confident and hopeful towards the future.

I will be joining my dear friend and admired colleague, Tara-Marie Gonzalez, LCSW-R, as we establish MT Your Mind, PLLC. With offices in New York and Texas, we will deliver the best of our services virtually and face-to-face throughout the United States. While our shared goals, values and experiences have united us; it is our diverse characteristics and interests that strengthen our bond.