People have always had issues, but as Humanistic Integrative Counsellor, Martin McFadden explains, those issues appear to be multiplying. He’s been speaking to Paul Bradley
Hi Martin, how are things with you?
Things are OK with me, I suppose, especially considering the hugely challenging times we find ourselves in. Like everyone I have good days and I have days, if I’m honest, I struggle with it all. I recently celebrated my 60th birthday and that was an opportunity to reflect on where I’m at and where I might be going.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Born and bred in Towney, overlooking the beautiful bay and the playing fields of CLG Cill Chartha (Kilcar). I spent a lot of my early years in the hospitality industry in Ireland and London.
Unfortunately, from a young age alcoholism took hold and my life spiralled out of control. Thankfully around the Millennium I hit my rock bottom. With a lot of help I sobered up, changed direction, and went back to college. Since then I’ve graduated from The University of Limerick, The NWRC in Derry, and more recently from ATU in Letterkenny with a research Masters in Therapeutic Interventions in Alcohol and Other Drugs. I’m still committed to lifelong learning, and I believe every day is a school day.
You are a ‘Humanistic Integrative Counsellor’. What does that mean, and how does it differ from other therapies?
My orientation as a counsellor is person-centred, which ties in nicely with the humanistic way of doing things. Empathy, respect, positive regard and a non-judgemental approach are key components in the therapeutic relationship, and pivotal to the humanistic approach, which recognises that each client is unique, with their own perspective.
It focuses on their experiences, inner resources and potential to explore new choices.
‘Integrative’ refers to the whole toolbox that the therapist might use. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Compassion-Focused Therapy, are examples of techniques I might use, as opposed to a single approach.
Are there new personal problems these days, in a world with new pressures?
The therapeutic landscape has changed considerably in recent years: we live in uncertain and challenging times.
People have always had issues, that’s just the human condition, but their issues appear to have multiplied, or certainly been amplified, especially since the pandemic. There’s a lot of anxiety and fear, driven mostly by poor economic, financial and social conditions. Relationship issues are also very much to the fore, again a potential hangover from Covid.
Social media has changed the way we communicate with one another and brought about a disconnect of sorts. Information overload, but sadly not enough one-to-one old-fashioned human communication.
What damages more people – one big dramatic event, or the slow drip of small hurts?
We are all different in how we experience life; what might be traumatic for me might not mean anything to you. One of the great revelations in therapy for clients is discovering that their current thought processes and behaviours often relate directly back to their childhoods.
Early attachment issues and conditioning can create certain core beliefs for people about themselves. When these beliefs are challenged and seen to be false, the option to change those debilitating thoughts becomes much more realistic.
Whether it’s a major life trauma or, as you said, a slow drip of small hurts, the body will keep score. Knowing one’s triggers is hugely important, as well as creating safe environments and routines, especially for those who have experienced major trauma.
Are there new addictions, or new ways to service those addictions?
Once again the addiction landscape has shifted considerably in recent times. Alcohol and other drugs have been around for millennia, but their availability has never been greater. Indeed their normalisation and at times glamorisation has also fuelled the fire.
Behavioural addictions have also increased dramatically; the internet is the perfect platform for gaming, gambling and pornography addictions in particular. Social media itself has become addictive for many.
Insofar as addiction has evolved, I don’t believe we have kept pace at all. I think this increased need to escape by whatever means available is reflective and quite damning of where we are as a society. Rather than address the failures in our society (economic, health, housing and the like), which are major contributing factors to our unwellness, we tend to look away, or worse still, label and blame those who find themselves in trouble and unable to cope.
For me it’s not about excusing poor behaviour but about understanding the reasons for their behaviour to begin with. That would require the powers that be to take a good hard look at themselves, to accept some responsibility for our current malaise and bring about a more person-centred, trauma-informed approach to mental health and addiction.
I have never yet met anyone in addiction who has chosen that path of destruction. Recovery does have a lot to do with personal responsibility but as a society I believe we should be doing more to engage with people in a non-judgemental, compassionate and respectful way.
You use social media to promote mental health. But is it also a source of problems?
It’s a great medium to inform and stimulate thought and debate. It’s where you need to be if you want to get your message out there. I’ve often had people contact me as a result of a post that resonated with them. I mix things up as well in terms of the seriousness as well as the lighter side of things. When used responsibly social media is brilliant, unfortunately it’s not always used in that way.
Are you surprised by the level of nastiness or ignorance displayed online?
I’m saddened but not surprised. I think we’re seeing the very worst in human nature through this medium, and because it’s at our fingertips it’s hugely damaging, particularly for young people.
The Netflix series Adolescence showed the disturbing impact, particularly around toxic masculinity and how we have become desensitised to inhumanity. I don’t have any solutions unfortunately, other than talk, talk and talk to our young people.
As a music fan, does that help with your own stresses?
Music is hugely important to me and always has been. It’s a great way to relax and pretty much escape from the world for a wee while at least.
I’ve been very fortunate over the years to have seen and heard many great musicians live. I’d have to say the great Christy Moore has ticked all of the boxes above. As well as his incredible musical ability and stage presence, his authenticity, humility and overall world view has inspired me for a lifetime.
I would certainly recommend music to all of my clients, turn off the news and turn up the music if you can.
If anyone else would like to take part in this interview, to raise a profile or an issue, please contact Paul at Dnthirddegree@gmail.com
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