Dan Martinson
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I studied psychology at Cedarville University (B.A.) and Wheaton College (Psy.D.) with a passion to help missionaries and ministers flourish in their life and work. I knew many who spent years preparing for ministry only to find their service cut short due to trauma, burnout, or team conflicts. I wanted to help others like them to heal so they could experience the fullness of life
in Christ and spread that life to others through new and fruitful ministries.
As I gained experience in assessment and therapy through working in college counseling centers (Wheaton College, Radford University, Virginia Tech) and in private practice (Blue Ridge Christian Counseling), I more fully appreciate how the counseling journey can help anyone recover their purpose and walk in peace and joy.
Who do you work with?
I enjoy working with teens and adults of all ages. I particularly love to help helping professionals (ministers,
therapists, social workers, teachers, etc.) thrive in and out of their workplace.
There are two types of clients I find I work really well with: A) People who know the change they want to see, have tried everything they know to try, and still feel stuck, and B) People who don’t know what they need, but are ready to try making changes and see what helps.
How can you help me?
I first aim to help you better understand yourself, your hopes and passions, what makes you tick, what is important to you and makes you feel most alive. We also consider what is causing you pain, weighing you down, and disrupting your life. We then discuss how counseling can get you ‘unstuck’ and back on the desired life path. This usually involves healing past wounds and establishing/building on helpful rhythms of life and relationship. I will sometimes give you work to do between meetings; usually we will figure this part out together. Along the way, I offer encouragement, education, accountability, and support.
How will I know that I am making progress?
The simple answer is: you will start to feel better! But more than that, you will have a newfound appreciation for why you have felt trapped, where you want to go, and what steps you are practically taking to get there. You will feel a deeper sense of connectedness to yourself and others. If you believe in a personal God who loves you, I hope you will be experiencing that love more deeply and walking in it more consistently.
What types of therapy do you provide?
I offer many types of therapy based on what is a best fit for each individual’s personality and concerns. However, I am most at home using solution-focused, strength-based, existential, and cognitive-behavioral treatments, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. My counseling approach is unapologetically Christian for those who identify as such, and values- focused for anyone who does not identify as Christian (we explore what you value most, whether religious or non-religious values, and keep that in focus for your treatment). While most of my bio is geared toward individual therapy, I also offer couples therapy, parent consultations, differential diagnosis, and other consultation services as a psychologist.
Contact
Address
106 S Franklin Street
Suite A-2
Christiansburg, Virginia 24073