When my now-husband and I were counseled by Stephen, he asked excellent questions and offered healing empathy. But what makes him a truly GREAT therapist is his almost uncanny ability to perceive your real issues and guide you into a new--and much better--chapter of your relationship.

- Pamela. San Francisco, California

Stephen Martin has been our families touch stone for many years. Six years ago, my husband and I came to him seeking his help in tuning up a marriage that badly needed a facilitator. I went to him that first day with reservations running deep. Shrinks.

In his counseling room, that first day with him, I immediately knew I would like this guy. He was warm, up-front and willing to share some of his own stories. He felt that a marriage counselor was key in helping a marriage through the inevitable rough roads. Of course, it has to be the "right" kind of marriage counselor, and Stephen was that for us. He never made one partner feel like the villain, as so many couples complain about when they go to counseling. After 6 months, we felt better as a couple.

One year ago, we went back to Stephen as a family. My then 16-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter came along with us. Stephen was very helpful in this arena as well. Making sure the kids knew that our concerns and boundaries were coming from a place called love, and sometimes straight up fear.

This year, our 17-year-old son is going to him alone, once a week and finding Stephen to be extremely helpful in helping him navigate his world he is in, and the world he will soon encounter as a young man without the safety net of his family.

I am very grateful to Stephen for all of us, and I recommend his skills and expertise to everyone that needs that occasional tweak in this journey we call love, marriage and family.

- Trina. Montara, San Francisco Bay Area.