Today we’d like to introduce you to Zamanda Martínez.
Hi Zamanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I first realized I wanted to understand people’s hearts long before I ever imagined I could become a therapist. As a first-generation American raised by Mexican immigrant parents, I learned to be responsible, adaptable, and strong from a young age. Like many first-gen kids, I often focused on getting things done, taking care of responsibilities, and keeping life moving forward to build a better future for myself and my family, often without much space to notice the tightness in my chest or the quiet weight I carried inside. By my teen years, that weight had started to feel heavy, and I struggled with emotions I didn’t yet know how to name.
A school counselor I worked with during middle school became a turning point for me. She taught me tools to understand and cope with my feelings and even encouraged me to become a peer mediator, helping other students navigate conflicts. In that moment, I realized I was made for this work, and it became the foundation for everything that followed.
I was the first in my family to go to college, attend a graduate program, and open my own business. I earned my bachelor’s in psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington and my master’s in professional counseling at Texas Wesleyan University, and later opened my own private practice, a milestone that continues to feel both humbling and exciting.
During my clinical training, I was drawn to talk therapy and helping people make sense of their experiences. Over time, I noticed something important: many clients understood why they felt a certain way, but their bodies still held tension, fear, or shutdown, leaving them feeling stuck. That curiosity led me to explore how trauma and long-term stress live in the body, which inspired me to get certified in body-centered methods like Brainspotting and trauma-sensitive yoga, approaches that honor pacing, choice, safety, and the body’s own wisdom. Along the way, I embraced a phrase that feels like a little anchor in my work: Z Se Puede, which means “Yes, it’s possible.” It’s a reminder that even when things feel heavy or stuck, change is possible in your own time and in your own way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all. Being first-gen meant learning as I went, sometimes stumbling, but always moving forward. Even with guidance from friends and mentors, I often had to figure things out on my own and learn to trust myself along the way.
Along the journey, I struggled with self-doubt and eventually realized I had been carrying unresolved trauma. I also discovered I have ADHD, which helped explain why focusing, organizing, and managing everything felt overwhelming. For a long time, I felt like I was doing so much with very little support for my neurodivergent brain and that definitely challenged my self-esteem.
These struggles became my strengths and continue to shape how I understand stress, resilience, and the quiet emotional weight so many people carry, sometimes without even realizing it has a name. Because of this, I approach my work with empathy and a deep respect for my clients’ experiences.
Through my own healing with Brainspotting therapy and trauma-sensitive yoga, I experienced firsthand how these approaches can help people reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and move toward sustainable growth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Zamanda Martinez, LPC ?
I specialize in trauma, PTSD and anxiety, supporting adults carrying invisible burdens, helping them heal in ways that go beyond talk therapy. I use Brainspotting and trauma-sensitive yoga to support clients in reconnecting with their bodies, regulating their nervous systems, and creating lasting change. I offer virtual therapy in both English and Spanish all across Texas, and my work especially supports first-generation professionals, neurodivergent individuals, immigrants, and those navigating medical or life transitions.
What sets my work apart is the integration of embodiment and cultural awareness. Drawing on both professional training and lived experience, I hold space for complexity, resilience, and identity. I also support clients through immigration evaluations and have experience with chronic illness and cancer-related trauma.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that my practice is grounded in empowerment and authenticity. The philosophy of Z Se Puede is woven into everything I do. Clients often share that after our work together, they feel lighter, more grounded, and able to breathe again, as if a weight has been lifted from them. My goal is to help people feel more hopeful, embodied, and connected to themselves, knowing that healing isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we feel.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Many people are surprised to learn that I’m a lifelong student of my own nervous system. Even as a therapist, I’ve navigated unresolved trauma, ADHD, and the challenges of being first-generation.
It might also surprise people that my name, Zamanda, wasn’t intentional, the “Z” was a happy accident. My mom, with a third-grade education and limited English, meant to write “Samantha” on my birth certificate, but in her handwriting, the S turned into a Z. At first, I didn’t love it, but over time I embraced it. To me, the “Z” has come to symbolize resilience, the same determination and courage my mom showed in doing her best, even with limited resources. That spirit is at the heart of Z Se Puede, and my hope is to bring that same resilience and possibility to my clients.
I approach life with curiosity, a little chaos, and a willingness to lean into the unknown, the same mindset I help my clients cultivate, keeping the work real, grounded, and honoring the truth: que Z Se Puede!
Pricing:
- Intakes are currently $165 and individual 50 minute sessions $135, though I regularly evaluate pricing to ensure it reflects the care, time, and expertise I provide while remaining accessible to clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zamandamartinez.com
- Instagram: @zsepuede_therapy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088083246095
- Other: Tiktok: @zamandamartinezlpc
