Leocadio Martín: "As a psychologist, the best virtue is the passion for learning and helping".

The Canarian psychologist tells us some details of his biography and his profession.

Born in the Canary Islands 54 years ago, Leocadio Martín 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. A lover of running and traveling to the most remote places on the planet, we wanted to meet with him to delve into some aspects of the profession of psychologist, as well as to know firsthand their opinions and thoughts.

Leocadio, how did your vocation for psychology begin?

I would say that it was unintentional. I started studying chemistry, but I got bored. I switched to psychology almost without thinking about it, and I found my passion.

The beginnings were very special. Those were the early years when AIDS appeared, and the role of psychology was beginning to become very important for society. I landed in the Home Care for AIDS patients in 1988. in 1988. We were underground psychologists, even to our family. I like to think that this is what shaped my career.

You practice as a psychologist in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tell us: what are the main concerns of your patients? Do you specialize in any particular area of psychotherapy or clinical psychology?

A few years ago I decided to stop my psychotherapy practice to dedicate myself to training and groups. I can say that I have worked in several areas of clinical psychology, but mainly in addictions, and all its derivations.

At the present time I like to say that I am dedicated to the promotion of mental wellbeing.

What influence do you think the economic crisis has on the mental health of citizens?

Toda. We have been deprived of many "certainties" about our lives. We can say that the human being has been turned into one of the puppies of the "learned helplessness" experiments.

It is also true that, fortunately, we are capable of getting out of the most adverse circumstances and the resilience of people is being the big news of these times. This, together with the awareness of belonging, solidarity and generosity, will make us emerge stronger from 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 keeps many people from going to therapy even though they need it?

I don't think there is a stigma beyond that of other professions, such as medicine, for example. At the moment, if people do not go for consultation, it 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 a multitude of areas, from education to clinical or emergency psychology.

Perhaps the only pending issue is still the adequate presence (in terms of number of professionals) in academic or public health fields. When we are able to make people understand that our work is preventive and can save a lot of resources and suffering, perhaps the administrations will understand this 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 bring us?

For many years, psychology has been making a niche for itself in the treatment of illness, in clinical practice. We are experts in helping people to change, to modify behaviors and thoughts.

Positive psychology tells us that our capacity as professionals can go much further. We can help people to change what they want, to know themselves, to not go in "automatic mode" through life.

Identifying strengths, learning 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 this and abandon complexes. Otherwise, they will step on our toes, as is already happening in some cases.

Regarding the dissemination of psychology-related topics... 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 still have a long way to go. Not only to explain and disseminate the latest research, but also the classical or modern theories that underpin the various psychological therapies and interventions.

The question What is psychology for?still has a long way to go. 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 disorders by means of drugs. In addition, it is often said that clinical psychology is also in the habit of overdiagnosing some disorders. What is true about this and what role do you think the psychologist should play to avoid this problem?

Undoubtedly, the use of drugs to solve some mental disorders is a tendency that comes from a type of society oriented towards quick solutions. To define individuals by their suspected disorders. This, in a clinical setting, may be useful, to ensure effective or coordinated intervention. But it is having an undesirable effect. That of people identifying with their disorders and having a hard time understanding who they are beyond the clinical label.

The role of clinical psychology should not remain in the diagnosis, but in an adequate therapeutic program that allows the person to recognize themselves as such, and assume their disorder as something they can manage, with help.

I believe that we are on that path. And fortunately quite distanced from pharmacological solutions.

We have seen that you move like a fish in water through social networks. Why do you think it is important for a psychologist to know how to communicate through the network?

Without a doubt. We are at the beginning of taking advantage 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 abilities, of debating... through these new forms of communication is a space that will undoubtedly allow us to reach places and people that we would never have had access to otherwise.

We are right at the beginning of the academic year and there are many young people who are taking their first steps in the faculties of psychology, as new students. What would be the best advice that an experienced psychologist like you could give them?

Passion. A single word to define this profession. It is vocational, it is absolutely clear to me. It is necessary to have the curiosity to learn and help others. This and to keep an open mind. We can enter the career thinking that we want to dedicate ourselves to a specific area and discover another that hooks us. Do not close doors.

We are in the study of the human mind. And psychology is an exciting kaleidoscope, which can lead us down unsuspected and wonderful paths.