Yanna Martinek Counselling
M.Ed, RCC

The foundation of my approach is trauma informed, my job is to ensure you feel safe and cared for at every step in our therapeutic journey.

My purpose is to gently uncover patterns in your life that are no longer working for you. The cause of these patterns often lie beneath our awareness or consciousness so they cannot be changed. It is during our sessions that we can shed light on these issues and create a plan to move forward.

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I am specialized in numerous therapeutic modalities, and with a decade of experience as a therapist,  I can tailor our sessions with methods that would suit you best. Often my clients find it valuable to both address day to day concerns as well as to identify the root of ongoing issues. This deeper unpacking of your struggles can be connected to attachment wounding or a trauma memory. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a specialized and evidence based modality that is highly effective in processing trauma memories.  I also deeply honour the mind body connection. Everything I do in our sessions is grounded in attachment theory and compassion. 

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Above all, I am human. I bring my genuine self into our sessions to authentically connect. 

Neurodivergence-Affirming Approach

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I approach neurodivergence as a natural and meaningful variation in how humans think, feel, and experience the world: not something that needs to be fixed. Being neuro-affirming means acknowledging that we all carry a degree of internalized ableism, which can leave us feeling inadequate or disconnected from our needs. Part of our work together is gently unpacking those beliefs. 
 

Rather than focusing on “normalization,” my work centers on deep self-understanding,  accommodations, and reducing the harm that can come from chronic masking. I aim to support clients in building lives that are aligned with their nervous systems and authentic ways of being.
 

Clinically, my approach is informed by training in Gordon Neufeld’s attachment-based developmental model, which offers a nuanced understanding of neurodivergence through a relational and developmental lens. I have a strong grounding in working with the hypersensitive brain and how heightened sensitivity can shape emotional processing, relationships, and the therapeutic experience. I have also been trained on how to adapt therapeutic modalities like EMDR for those who are neurodivergent.