Founded in 1978

ONE THERAPIST’S JOURNEY

THE CALSOUTHERN INTERVIEWDIALOGUE:

THE CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY FORUM FOR

EXCELLENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY

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Forum for Excellence in Psychology

ONE THERAPIST’S JOURNEY

Journeys Through Life—Tales of Change is anything but a typical self-help book. Its author, CalSouthern University PsyD candidate Terry Martin, wanted to de-mystify the therapeutic process for individuals who may have trepidations about seeing a mental health professional. And he wanted to make the book light and accessible, with minimal reference to complex theory and without a formal, scholarly tone.

Martin settled on an innovative format. He takes the reader through a series of actual therapy sessions via three fictionalized accounts of real-life cases. Told from the perspective of “Doc”—a therapist based in large part on Martin—the book gives the reader a unique insight into the client-therapist relationship, the therapist’s motivations in selecting certain techniques, as well as the gratification and frustration experienced as clients make progress—or find themselves unable to undertake meaningful change.

Journeys tells the stories of Walker Smith, the director of a geriatric psychiatric care facility who has been fired for reporting a sexual assault committed by one of the patients; John Burton, who suffers from a severe avoidance disorder; and Susan Saver, who is verbally and emotionally abused by her husband—all in addition to chronicling the story of Doc himself.

CalSouthern caught up with Martin for a wide-ranging conversation about the book, his practice, and his future plans. He holds a master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and maintains a private practice in Aiea, Hawaii, as he works toward his doctorate. A cognitive behavioral therapist and life coach, Martin specializes in treating military service men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury, as well as conflict management with children, adolescents and adults, and marriage and family counseling.

Dialogue: The C

alSouthern Interview

CalSouthern Learner Terry Martin’s book Journeys Through Life—Tales of Change offers a unique and insightful exploration of the client-therapist relationship.

By Tom Dellner

Founded in 1978

I’ve encountered so many clients who are nervous about what to expect as they begin therapy. And I knew that there must be many more who are prevented by anxiety from seeking help in the first place. I wanted to help allay these fears and to de-mystify the therapeutic process as much as possible.

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Forum for Excellence in Psychology

CalSouthern: I’ve alluded to the book’s rather unique narrative format. Could you tell us a bit about how you came to choose this structure and what you hoped to accomplish in doing so?

Terry Martin: When I started writing the book, I wanted to avoid using a heavy, textbook-style tone with a lot of psycho-babble. I really wanted to write something that a layperson could pick up—especially someone who might have some hesitancy about going into therapy.

My goal was to take people into actual therapy sessions via real-life cases. Of course, I changed the names and certain key facts in order to maintain my clients’ confidentiality.

The three cases I chose are very intense cases. I thought that the most effective way to tell the stories would be through a narrative format, chronicling a variety of sessions so that readers can begin to understand what therapy is all about. I show a number of therapeutic techniques in use, in addition to how to relax someone, how to get them centered, how to journal—all with a goal that if and when readers come into therapy, they’ll better know what to expect. In that sense, it’s something of a primer.

CalSouthern: Not all of the stories come to a positive conclusion.

Martin: No. Not all stories of therapy have a “happily-ever-after” ending. For example, the woman in the abusive marriage (whom I named “Susan Saver,” because she was always “saving” her husband) was convinced by her husband that her main objective in life was to take care of him. He even convinced her not to have children because it would take her attention away from him. Susan came from an abusive family. Her father, who happened to be in the military, abused her. Her husband was in the military, as well, so, in many respects, she had married her father.

Susan eventually left therapy and did not come back. It was too hard for her. She was so afraid of leaving the pain that she decided to stay in it. Not all cases work out as you would hope.

CalSouthern: What was the inspiration that moved you to take on this project in the first place?

Martin: I’ve been doing therapy for more than 25 years, and I’ve encountered so many clients who are anxious about what to expect or are nervous about beginning the process. And I know that there must be many more who are prevented by anxiety from seeking help in the first place. I wanted to help allay these fears and to de-mystify the therapeutic process as much as possible.

I received lots of encouragement from colleagues and clients along the way. In fact, many have asked me to write a follow-up book.

With my clients that have read the book, I’ve found the therapeutic process to be more effective in a shorter amount of time. It’s a good entre, an opening through which to build alliances.

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Forum for Excellence in Psychology

CalSouthern: Any plans to honor that request?

Martin: Yes, I’ve begun work on a second book, which will be titled The Journey Continues. It will focus primarily on some of the issues that our military faces: deployment issues, PTSD, relationship dysfunction, substance abuse, suicide, etc. I’ve also chosen to return to the same format, utilizing fictionalized composites of actual cases. The first book seemed to work and it resonates with people. So I figured, why not continue it?

CalSouthern: What was the writing experience like for you?

Martin: Actually, the writing process for me was a very humbling one. Most of us consider ourselves good writers, with a strong grasp of syntax and grammar. Well, I had the good fortune of having a superb editor. It was, ultimately, a blessing. But it also was a lesson in humility to see what a professional editor does to a first manuscript. Of course, you can’t personalize it—it’s about learning and growing as a writer. Looking back, I’m so grateful for the experience and believe I now have the ability to communicate much more effectively through my writing.

CalSouthern: Do you believe the experience of writing Journeys changed you as a person or helped you grow as a therapist?

Martin: Oh, absolutely. I’ve used—and continue to use—other’s writings in my work for years, e.g., Melody Beattie’s work on co-dependency and Salvatore Minuchin on family therapy. But now I have written something myself that I can use in my own practice. When clients come in for their first session, I give them a copy of my book and ask them to read it. That way, they gain an understanding of the process, as well as a feel for me and how I work.

The feedback has been phenomenal. I’ve had colleagues that use my book with their clients, as well. It helps to build a bridge between client and therapist. With my clients that have read the book, I’ve found the therapeutic process to be more effective in a shorter amount of time. It’s a good entre, an opening through which to build alliances.

CalSouthern: What are some of your favorite aspects of the book?

Martin: At the risk of sounding vain, it’s the Doc character, which is based in large part on me; he’s gone through many of the same journeys and struggles that I’ve been through. I believe that self-disclosure is important and can benefit the client. By putting this in the book, readers understand that I have struggled, too. They know they’re not in this alone. It keeps clients from putting the therapist up on a pedestal, and I think that is important.

CalSouthern: Tell us a little bit about your future plans.

Martin: In addition to maintaining my practice and working on The Journey Continues, I am continuing with my studies at CalSouthern, working toward my doctorate. I’ve really found that the courses that I am taking at CalSouthern nicely complement and enhance what I am doing in my career—adding to my toolbox, if you will.

I’m also an adjunct faculty member here at the University of Hawaii, in the social work school.

All in all, I continue lecturing, writing, and working, building up my subject matter expertise in my areas of specialty and interest.

Dialogue: The C

alSouthern Interview

Dialogue: The CalSouthern Interview is published in conjunction with the California Southern University Forum for Excellence in Psychology, a content initiative designed to highlight excellence in research, scholarship, practice, and humanitarian work in the behavioral sciences.