Nicole Villarreal Martinez, ACSW
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker
Supervised by Kathy Winship, LCSW LCSW69759
My name is Nicole Villarreal Martinez, and I am a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW126669), supervised by Katherine Winship, LCSW (LCSW69759). I was born and raised in San Diego. I graduated with my Master in Social Work from the University of Southern California with a focus in school social work. I have extensive experience working with children (ages 0-10), adolescents (ages 11-13) and young adults. I have worked with diverse family units such as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC families, especially in immigrant and refugee communities. I really enjoy working with children and collaborating with their families and trusted adults!
As we build a therapeutic alliance, my goal is to build trust and self-empowerment using strength-based interventions. I recognize the importance of connecting how various aspects of identity—such as culture, race, socioeconomic status, and family dynamics—shape the lives of children, adolescents, and their families. I use this lens to engage collaboratively to identify client values and goals while developing healthy, sustainable coping strategies that are tailored to their unique circumstances. My role is to create a therapeutic environment that acknowledges these complexities and meets clients wherever they are in their journey.
Clinical Experience
I have over 15 years working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families of diverse backgrounds, in different community settings, school and in the outpatient community mental health setting. I’ve worked with first born/first generation immigrant clients and their families, the refugee community, military, high-risk clients, and children/adolescents with ADHD, severe mood disorders, anxiety, ASD, anger issues, trauma and substance use. In my experience as a school social worker/ therapist I implemented therapeutic interventions such as MI, CBT, DBT, Art Therapy and Play Therapy to assist the population I work with that struggled with anxiety, self-harm, low self-esteem, depression, bullying, school related social issues and stressors. In my experience in working in a community mental health clinic, I primarily work with high-risk children and adolescents struggling with trauma, grief, divorce, and severe mood disorders. I also collaborate with families to streamline care.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Languages: English, Spanish
Location: Scripps Ranch
Education
Master of Social Work Degree
University of Southern California
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology
National University, San Diego
Associate in Child Development
San Diego Miramar College
Professional Affiliations
Please note: Each individual therapist is responsible for the legal and ethical psychotherapy treatment of their own clients. The therapist on this page operates independently from other providers in this office.