Martha M Giddings

I have been working with individuals and families for many years. I received my Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Georgia (UGA), and then I spent several years in the North Georgia mountains working with children, adults and families in a community mental health center. Subsequently, I moved to Athens and pursued a doctoral degree in Child and Family Development from UGA. For my entire career, I have either worked directly with clients as a therapist, conducted research on individual and family functioning in post doctoral programs, or served as a faculty member at both UGA and Valdosta State University. In this latter role, I have taught clinical practice courses, and I have supervised graduate social work students and professionals who were learning to practice.

After retiring as an educator, I decided to go back into practice as I missed working directly with clients. I began as a Family Therapist/Consultant at the Children's Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, where I worked with parents and grandparents whose children had been sexually abused. I began to better understand trauma and the profound impact it has on families and the community. Many of these parents had themselves, experienced sexual abuse, so I was able to develop a program that offered psychoeducational and social support for non-offending caregivers.

In 2020, I accepted a position at Enspire Counseling and Wellness, Inc., and I really enjoy practicing with clients of all ages who come in with a range of problems and concerns. I cannot imagine NOT working with individuals and families - as I have a passion for this, and I strongly believe that people are able to make therapeutic changes and move beyond their distress. In the last month as the Covid-19 virus has changed everything, I have begun doing teletherapy. I have been amazed at how effective teletherapy or virtual counseling can be. What I like about Enspire is that we are encouraged to continue to learn and grow as we work to help clients do the same thing.