By: Nic Abelian
Martha Espin, a licensed psychologist and trauma survivor, is reshaping the way women understand and heal from the emotional scars of childhood trauma and attachment wounds. As the founder of Mindful and Slow, her work centers on helping women (particularly those in their 30s) navigate the complex interplay between early relational pain and adult relationship patterns that often leave them feeling unseen, unheard, and unworthy of love. Martha’s unique therapeutic approach bridges clinical expertise and lived experience, offering not just coping mechanisms but true emotional transformation.
With a practice rooted in trauma-informed care, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and nervous system regulation, Martha guides her clients to identify and heal the unconscious patterns driving people-pleasing, anxious attachment, and the fear of abandonment. Her goal is not symptom reduction, but deep, systemic healing, what she describes as a return to self after a lifetime of self-abandonment. “Healing isn’t about becoming someone new,” she explains. “It’s about remembering who you were before the world taught you to abandon yourself.”
Before becoming a psychologist, Martha served in the Royal Army for four years and was later diagnosed with PTSD. This personal chapter not only deepened her understanding of trauma but became the catalyst for her calling. Her clinical training and military background uniquely position her to support women who often feel emotionally overextended, chronically anxious in love, or trapped in cycles of self-doubt and overfunctioning. Rather than viewing anxious attachment as a pathology, Martha reframes it as a nervous system adaptation to relational insecurity. “Anxious attachment is not a flaw,” she states. “It’s a survival response.”
Photo Courtesy: Martha Espin
Martha’s practice goes beyond traditional therapy sessions. Through online one-on-one work, group mentorship programs, and her signature women’s retreat in Bali: EmpowHer – The Retreat, she creates spaces where women feel seen, supported, and understood. The retreat blends psychological insight with nervous system work and community support, offering women a rare opportunity to experience healing in an environment that feels both structured and nurturing. Her offerings also include a free mini-course and curated group mentoring designed to reach a wider community of women searching for clarity and connection.
What differentiates Martha from others in her field is her ability to make clinical concepts emotionally resonant and accessible. She speaks to the soul of the issue with language that bridges intellect and empathy. In her words: “When you begin to feel safe in your own body, you stop chasing love that hurts.” Her work avoids jargon without sacrificing depth, and this clarity has earned her recognition in mental health circles and a growing online community that engages with her through Instagram and beyond.
Her platform, Mindful and Slow, is more than a brand, it is a movement rooted in the belief that women can break free from inherited emotional legacies. She is especially attuned to the needs of those who were raised without emotional attunement or safety, and who now struggle with self-trust and relational clarity. Through her work, these women begin to feel safe again, not just in relationships, but within themselves.
The heart of Martha’s practice is understanding the long shadow that unresolved childhood trauma casts into adulthood. Many of her clients come to her unaware that their current struggles in intimacy such as fear of abandonment, emotional overinvestment, or chronic self-blame are rooted in early attachment injuries. Through guided therapeutic work and nervous system recalibration, these clients learn to recognize their relational patterns, practice boundaries, and cultivate self-worth from within.
Photo Courtesy: Martha Espin
The impact of Martha’s approach is evident in the depth of her client transformations. While her work is not focused on accolades, her influence continues to grow organically through word-of-mouth and community engagement. Her retreats regularly draw women from across the globe, and her digital courses make her work widely accessible. With every offering, she returns to the same core principle: the journey home begins with understanding, not judgment.
In an increasingly clinical world, Martha’s work stands out for its humaneness. She does not rush the process, nor does she prioritize performance over depth. Instead, she invites women into slow, steady transformation. Her work embodies the belief that healing requires both safety and structure, and that every woman deserves both.
For those interested in learning more about Martha Espin’s work, services, and her upcoming retreat in Bali this November, additional information is available on EmpowHer – The Retreat.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice. For personalized support or treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.
