Martina has over 17 yr experiences as a therapist. She specialises in Bowen Family Systems Theory in her psychotherapy work with couples, families, adults, parents and adolescents. This way of ‘thinking systems’ has led her to understand that how we feel, what we do, and how we think cannot be separated from our significant relationship systems. You could say that facilitating people’s awareness of how they have gotten emotionally entangled in their relationships (family, intimate, work) and how they can find a way to get more thoughtful and less reactive is her specialty. 

She offers clinical supervision to mental health clinicians in private practice, as well as organisational supervision for mental health teams and leaders. 

She is currently a trainer and associate faculty at The Family Systems Institute, Australia’s leading training centre in Bowen Family Systems Therapy, where she facilitates training for mental health clinicians  in their Adv.Cert. in Couples and Family Systems Therapy, accredited by the Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT).

She has worked in youth mental health (headspace/ NSW Health), Drug & Alcohol (Gloo Project) and with the LGTBQI+ community (Aids Council of NSW).

Martina became interested in the work of Dr Murray Bowen in 2013, since then she has applied Bowen Family Systems Theory to both her clinical work and personal life. Martina has published three articles on the subject in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. She has presented her work at symposiums and conferences. 

Martina has been embedded in contemplative practices and the healing arts for over twenty years, with experience in the practice and teaching of Yoga, a Diploma in Zen Shiatsu and a long term commitment to meditation in the Theradavan and non-dual Buddhist traditions.

Martina has a Master of Social Work and is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker, she has a Grad. Dip. in Gestalt psychotherapy, and an Adv. Cert. in Couples & Family Systems Therapy. She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) and a clinical member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT). 

Publications: 

Palombi, M. (2024). Borderline Personality Disorder: a symptom of the family system. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy.

Palombi, M. (2018). From Gestalt Therapy to Family Systems: How Theoretical Frameworks Inform Clinical Applications. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy.

Palombi, M. (2016). Separations: A Personal Account of Bowen Family Systems Theory. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy.