Candida Martinez, AMFT

Candida (Candi) earned her B.S at the University of New Mexico where she studied pre-medicine and psychology. She continued her educational career at San Diego State University earning a certification as an Early Childhood Socioemotional Behavior Regulation Intervention Specialist, followed by her M.S. in Child & Family Development. She continued graduate studies at Alliant International University-San Diego California School of Professional Psychology earning her M.A in Marriage and Family Therapy.  

Supervised by Dr. E Matt VanDusen, Psy.D. (PSY20658), LMFT (53932), LAADC (LR02120716)

Candida is committed to helping you navigate through the complexities of life transitions and personal growth. She approaches her work primarily through affective regulation with the use of attachment theory in interventions from birth through adulthood. In addition, her expertise spans trauma-informed care, postpartum depression, grief and loss integrating the mind-body connection through somatic awareness incorporating principles imbedded in Buddhist psychology.  She applies a strengths-based, client-centered, humanistic approach with a mindful and compassionate lens toward the holistic view of the family system.

Candida’s approach is grounded in modalities such as: Integrative Regulation Therapy (iRT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal-Family System (IFS): Parts-Work, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Modality, and Trauma-informed care.

She is a believer that all humans are interconnected beings. Every being is the expert of one’s own experience-one’s most profound teacher.  Through her own challenges, she came to realize that roadblocks are inevitable, inducing triggers of “stuckness” or hopelessness. Beauty and Strength can be cultivated through the use of our senses in taking a moment to feel connected to the Earth-rooting ourselves into the ground, in noticing the body breathing-that which keeps us alive. To simply have the support of one compassionate spirit alongside us on our journey toward mindful awareness, can truly make all the difference.

American Psychological Association (APA), Member

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Member

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Member

National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM), Member

San Diego Postpartum Alliance (SDPA), Member

Alliant International University-SD Alum Panel Member

United Domestic Workers (UDW), Member

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Caregiver

Candida was born and raised in the enchanted state of New Mexico. Her initial focus was Developmental Pediatrics inspired by her younger sister, Carmel, who has special needs. When their mother and father passed away, Candida’s focus progressed toward the mental health field with a focus on spirituality, inner child healing and overall health and well-being.

As Candi truly values a well-balanced life, she enjoys dance parties with her sister, performing and listening to music, cooking and trying new health-conscious recipes, basking in nature (by foot or on two motor-powered wheels), weight training, meditating, reading, laughing, spending quality time with loved ones, exploring cultures and continued learning.

“What we ourselves have not been given, we cannot pass onto our children, who come to us for guidance. The template of how we relate to ourselves and the world is, to a large extent, established before birth and in early childhood, on the emotional and physical levels.” Dr. Gabor Maté

“We don’t set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people’s hearts.” -Pema Chodron

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.” -Bob Marley