Meet Cybele Martinez Kelly, LCSW
Hi, I’m Cybele (pronounced Sa-Bell), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist specializing in attachment and relational healing.
Many of the clients I work with are deeply self-aware. They understand their patterns intellectually, they know where their reactions come from, recognize unhealthy dynamics, and genuinely want change—yet emotionally, they still find themselves repeating the same painful cycles.
That’s where our work begins.
I help individuals and couples uncover how past attachment wounds continue to shape the present—whether that shows up as fear of abandonment, emotional shutdown, conflict cycles, people-pleasing, or the exhausting push-pull dynamic of wanting closeness while also protecting yourself from hurt.
Together, we move beyond awareness alone. We explore what gets activated beneath the surface, create emotional safety, and build healthier ways of relating—to yourself and to others—so change becomes something you experience AND understand.
My clinical work began over 9 years ago in substance abuse counseling in New York City and expanded into crisis family casework and trauma-informed care with survivors of torture. These experiences deepened my understanding of resilience, healing, and the importance of meeting each person with compassion, curiosity, and care.
At the heart of my practice is a simple belief: Painful patterns can be understood, healed, and changed. You are not meant to stay stuck in cycles that no longer serve you.
My Clinical Approach
My style is relaxed, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that healing begins with connection to both ourselves and to others. In session, I pull from evidence-based approaches including:
Attachment Theory – exploring how early experiences shape the way you connect in relationships today
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – building tools for managing thoughts, emotions, and communication
Psychoanalytic + Relational Perspectives – bringing curiosity to your story and the unconscious patterns that keep repeating
While these modalities guide the work, I tailor each session to meet you exactly where you are.
Who I Work With
I work with individuals and couples who are ready to explore how past experiences are shaping their present. My clients are often navigating:
Anxious, avoidant, or disorganized attachment patterns
Difficulty setting and maintaining. boundaries in relationships
Cycles of push-pull or disconnection in relationships
Feelings of fear, abandonment, or emotional shutdown
Life transitions or struggles with self-worth
A desire to build a more secure, grounded sense of self
Many of my clients are high-functioning and outwardly successful, but inside feel stuck in repeating patterns of anxiety, disconnection, or relationship stress. Together, we work on creating emotional safety, deepening self-awareness, and practicing new ways of relating that support more secure, fulfilling connections.