Marty Robinette

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Social Science Education from Eastern Washington University, a Masters of Arts in Education from Whitworth University, and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Whitworth University.

My Call to Christian Counseling

When I was teaching, I taught Psychology and Sociology to high school students. The students would often inquire about their own or someone else’s life issues in class. I loved the discussions and the process of learning. When I became an administrator in my last 14 years, I would often find myself counseling and encouraging students, parents, or school staff. That part of the job was the most rewarding and meaningful. When I looked at retiring from the school, I knew I wanted to use my experience and gifts through a dedicated counseling career.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

My greatest interest is my granddaughter and doing as much as I can with her. She is such a blessing to my wife and me. I like going to movies, watching TV, and going out to dinner with my wife. I also like to keep the yard nice and the flowers blooming. I walk each day and while doing so, listen to podcasts or music.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma

Aging and Geriatric Issues

One of the reasons I got into counseling was to provide support for folks who are going through the challenges of aging. As I witnessed my mother go through a host of losses during her later years, it opened my eyes to the fact that so many older individuals don’t have the support to handle the many losses that have come and will come; loss of a spouse, mobility, independence, health, a home, friends, mental acuity, and more. Each of these losses comes with a grief that is often faced alone or with little support. In addition, older adult children are faced with extremely difficult decisions on how best to assist their parents as they go through these losses. Through my understanding of the issues of grief and loss and my own experiences with the aging population, I will come alongside you and provide an avenue for happier outcomes.

Counseling for Teens

I have had over 40 years of experience working with teenagers as a teacher and administrator. I loved almost every minute of it. I believe one of my gifts has always been to connect with teens in a way that many might find difficult. First and foremost, working with teens involves being authentic. Teens these days are definitely going through some issues that are unique in the development process but in many ways, they are the same as we were. They want to belong, be loved, be accepted, and be respected. Teens are experiencing anxiety and depression at greater rates and intensity. They often feel hopeless that there is no way out. I would love to work with teens to help them sort through the many things they are feeling and thinking, parents in helping them better understand their teen, and families to better understand the dynamics of their changing family system.

Anxiety

Feeling anxious is a common human experience that can often be a source to motivate us or protect us. However, anxiety can begin to interfere with a person’s life in a way that becomes very intrusive and difficult to manage. Anxiety is often a fear of a possible failure or anticipated threat. Many times the anxiety feeds on itself and gets more intrusive over time and the logical response is to avoid certain events, people, or situations. Depression can be linked to anxiety or vice versa. You are not alone and there is hope to be free from the oppression of this experience. It would be my privilege to join with you in discovering the source of your anxiety and explore strategies to overcome it.

Couples and Marriage Counseling

We have been designed by our Creator to have an intimate partner. When we find that person, we believe our love can overcome any challenge, but the reality is we often can become very unskilled in maintaining that relationship. The idea of two people from different backgrounds and family cultures making a new unique one without some significant challenges is impractical. Strife between two people can fester and grow worse with time and can lead to great distress. There are many symptoms of a distressed relationship, but there is hope of repairing the past and moving toward connecting to your mate as God intended. Taking the step to seek counseling for your relationship is a critical move to begin the process of restoring what has been lost. I would love to guide you through that process.

Depression

As with anxiety, depression is being experienced more often in people today. It can sneak up on you or hit you like a brick wall. Symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, emptiness, lack of interest in things or finding little pleasure in life are just some of what a person experiences in depression. It often affects sleep and energy levels. If it persists or those feelings are significant, life itself seems hardly worth it. Thoughts of death or even suicide will creep in. The good news is there are many treatments available, and counseling is one that can help you begin to move in a more positive direction. Through my training and experience and with God’s help, I am confident that as we work together, we can begin to turn things around so you can experience relief from the hurtful impact of depression.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• North Spokane – Thursday & Friday
• Online (WA only) – Thursday & Friday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event, you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.