I’m the founder of the Gaia Center, and I believe that no one should have to walk through life shackled to their inner critic, an unhealthy relationship, eating disorder, people-pleasing, or any other self-destructive coping mechanism.

And frankly, I can't stand the thought of you living small because of the lies you believe about yourself that are rooted in past experiences, trauma, anxiety, and depression. 

I also believe that: 

  • You, like the rest of us, were born with inherent worthiness and value. But for a variety of reasons, we sometimes need help being able to perceive our own value/worth, and until we do, that "not good enough" nagging feeling can get in our way big time.

  • In our culture (and often in our families), we have some pretty screwed up ideas about femininity, masculinity, success, and beauty — and these often have to be explored and unlearned before we can feel more comfortable being uniquely who we are.

  • "Trauma" means a lot more than our old narrow definition leads us to believe. If you find yourself continuously ending up in patterns of self-sabotage or intense self-criticism, I can bet that there are some things from your past that we should dig into so they don't continue to have power over you.

  • We are all capable of healthy relationships, but we don’t just intuitively know how to be great partners. We have to be willing to learn healthy relationship skills and put in consistent effort to have the kind of relationship we want to have.

  • We all have an ego, and we all have a deeper intuition / inner wise self. It's just that the former is like a fire hydrant spewing in your ear 24/7, and the latter is a well that you have to learn how to intentionally go down into. And that often means connecting with your body, which can be a pretty foreign concept in our digitally-tethered culture.

I've come to these beliefs and formed my therapeutic approach from them not because of any therapy class or textbook, but out of lived experience — my own, and that of the many clients I've had the privilege of working with. I have an insatiable appetite for learning, growing, and continuing to evolve into my most whole-hearted and joy-filled life (which certainly includes plenty of messiness and imperfection).

My purpose with The Gaia Center is to share that energy with you to help you tap into the light and passion that’s already inside you.

There are a lot of things I wish could be taught in school but aren't — like how to cope with uncertainty, anxiety, shame, and painful experiences. Or how to deal effectively with conflict and relationship issues. But the good part is that you don't have to figure this all out alone — that's where I come in.

In my work with clients, I take a whole-person approach for mind + body integration and trauma resolution, utilizing EMDR, parts work, Gottman Method couples therapy, sex therapy, clinical hypnotherapy, trauma-sensitive & body-inclusive yoga, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and somatic (body-based) + experiential techniques.

Certifications, Trainings, & Associations:

  • Board Member, Nashville Psychotherapy Institute (January 2022-present)

  • Certified EMDR Therapist

  • Extensive sex therapy training with the Modern Sex Therapy Institute

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1

  • Advanced Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500) with Yoga Alliance (including trauma-sensitive and body-inclusive training)

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Intensive Bootcamp Training

  • Embodied Recovery Level 1 (a somatically based model for treating eating disorders)

  • Life Force Yoga (yoga-based practices for anxiety, depression & trauma)

  • Ecopsychology Yearlong Intensive Training with Dr. Andy Fisher

  • Work That Reconnects Certified Facilitator

  • Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

  • Gottman Institute - Have completed all 3 levels of training

Human First:

When I'm not working, you can find me singing, enjoying nature, trying out a new recipe, or snuggling up with a cat and my latest TV obsession or a book (admittedly, often a therapy book... I'm a Ravenclaw alright 🤓). My all-time favorite shows are This is Us, Ted Lasso, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Good Place— and I’m currently making my way through all 18+ seasons of Grey’s Anatomy for the first time. You can keep up with my offerings and shenanigans here or on Instagram @valkaymartin.

LET’S TALK:

Do you want to schedule an initial session or phone consultation with Valerie? Fill out the form on our contact page, or reach out to us at hello@gaiacenter.co or 615.270.8117 (call or text). We’ll respond within 24 business hours.

Valerie works with adults (individuals and couples) and adolescents 15+, and typically sees clients on Mondays & Thursdays between 9am and 7pm (availability differs some depending on the week). Her rate for an individual 50-minute session is $180 ($200 for couples), and $270 for a 75-minute individual session ($300 for couples). Valerie reserves several reduced-fee spots for clients in financial need via Open Path Collective; check out her profile there to see if any spots are available. Reduced fee services are also available with graduate interns at The Gaia Center.