Leocadio Martín: "As a psychologist, the best virtue is the passion to learn and help"
Born in the Canary Islands 54 years ago, Leocadio Martín He is one of these indefatigable psychologists who, in addition to teaching, directs and coordinates a website where he disseminates content related to mental health and positive psychology. Lover of the running and to travel to the most remote places of the planet, we wanted to meet with him to deepen in some aspects of the profession of psychologist, as well as to know at first hand his opinions and thoughts.
Leocadio, how did your vocation for psychology begin?
I would say without intending it. I started studying Chemistry, but I got bored. I went to Psychology almost without thinking, and I found my passion.
The beginnings were very special. They were the first years in which AIDS appeared, and the role of psychology was beginning to be very important for society. I landed in the Home Care for People with AIDS in the year 1988. We were clandestine psychologists, even for our family. I like to think that this is what has marked my career.
You practice as a psychologist in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tell us: what are the main concerns of your patients? Are you specialized in any specific field of psychotherapy or clinical psychology?
A few years ago I decided to stop the psychotherapy consultation to dedicate myself to training and groups. I can say that I have worked in several areas of clinical psychology, but mainly I have done in addictions, and all its derivations.
Nowadays I like to say that I'm dedicated to promotion of mental well-being.
What influence do you think the economic crisis has on the mental health of citizens?
All They have taken away many "certainties" about our life. We can say that the human being has become one of the dogs of the experiments of "learned helplessness".
It is also true that, fortunately, we are able to get out of the most adverse circumstances and the resilience of people is being the great news of these times. This, together with the awareness of belonging, solidarity and generosity, will make us stronger out of this imposed and artificial adversity.
How do you value the profession of psychologist in the current context? Do you think there is still a certain stigma that makes many people not go to therapy despite needing it?
I do not believe that there is a stigma beyond what there is for other professions, such as medicine. At this time if people do not go to the consultation is either because they do not think they need it or because their previous experience has not been satisfactory. In the last twenty-five years, psychology has been able to show its role in many areas, from education, clinic or psychology in emergencies.
Perhaps the only pending issue remains in the proper presence (in number of professionals), in the academic or public health areas. When we are able to understand that our work is preventive and can save a lot of resources and suffering, administrations may understand it and be able to give psychologists and mental health professionals the necessary space.
There is a lot of talk about Positive Psychology. What do you think this approach can give us?
For many years, psychology has been making a dent in the treatment of the disease, in clinic. We are experts in helping people to change, to modify behaviors and thoughts.
Positive psychology comes to tell us that our capacity as professionals can go much further. We can help people to change what they want, to know themselves, not to go in "automatic mode" for life.
Identify strengths, learn to be aware of the moment in which we live, is a field of our discipline in which we are experts. And it would be good for us to understand that and abandon complexes. If not, we are going to step on the road, as is already happening in some cases.
As for the dissemination on topics related to psychology ... Do you think that people are better informed than before about the latest research?
The effort we are making, more and more, to get to "tell psychology", I think it is increasingly important. In any case, we have a long way to go. Not only to explain and get the latest research: also the classical or modern theories that support different psychological therapies and interventions.
The question What is psychology for?, it still has a route.But yes, I think we are getting people to know better and better what we do and what we can do.
There has been a lot of talk lately about the tendency in psychiatry to solve all mental imbalances through drugs. In addition, it is often said that from clinical psychology there is also a habit of overdiagnosing some disorders. What is true about it and what role do you think the psychologist should play to avoid this problem?
Undoubtedly, the use of drugs to solve some mental imbalances is a tendency that comes from a type of society oriented to the quick solution. Define people for their supposed disorders. This, in a clinical setting, can be useful to ensure effective or coordinated intervention. But it is bringing an undesirable effect. The people who identify with their disorders and have a hard time understanding who is beyond the clinical label.
The role of clinical psychology should not be left in the diagnosis, but in an adequate therapeutic program that allows the person to recognize himself as such, and assume his disorder as something he can handle, with help.
I think we are on that path. And fortunately enough distanced from the pharmacological solutions.
We have seen that you move like a fish in the water through social networks. For what reasons do you consider it important for a psychologist to know how to communicate through the network?
Definitely. We are at the beginning of the use of these tools to make our profession known. When I studied psychology, access to scientific or informative documentation was minimal.
Nowadays, the possibility of online treatments, of showing our capacities, of debating ... through these new forms of communication is a space that will undoubtedly make us reach places and people that we would otherwise never have accessed.
We are right at the beginning of the academic year and there are many young people who are taking their first steps in the psychology faculties, as new students. What would be the best advice that an experienced psychologist like you could convey to them?
Passion. A single word to define this profession. It is vocational, I have it absolutely clear. It is necessary to have the curiosity to learn and help others. This and keep an open mind. We can enter the race thinking that we want to dedicate ourselves to a specific area and discover another one that gets us hooked. Do not close doors.
We are in the study of the human mind. And psychology is an exciting kaleidoscope, which can lead us through unsuspected and wonderful paths.
