One of the biggest problems I can recall early in my private practice was accepting every client who called and doing cartwheels to accommodate them. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that at times clients will take advantage of their therapists’ good nature. I began to establish boundaries with my time and my energy, which was the greatest lesson because I led my clients by my example, which ultimately was more beneficial to my business than being a doormat.

First, I would say that the relationship a new therapist has with their supervisor is the key to their success. Processing through experiences with clients as well as the practice of therapy allows a new therapist to grow and develop.

Next, I would stress how important maintaining the relationships with a community of peers is to a new therapist. Staying in contact with classmates or developing relationships with new colleagues will provide the support necessary when supervision is complete, because no one should be an island.

The advice I would have given myself early in my career is to relax and trust in the knowledge that I had from my training. I recall feeling overwhelmed by my clients and constantly referring to literature for guidance, but once that became too cumbersome, I began to trust myself and I found I liked who I was as a therapist. My clients must have sensed this too, because they returned and my practice grew!

The persisting problem that I encounter in private practice is the negative stigma of therapy. There is still the belief that one does not go to therapy unless they are “crazy” or as a last ditch effort to save a relationship. In my sessions, in my supervision, and in the classroom I stress that therapy has a purpose for everyone, at many stages of our lives. As new trainees, therapists can benefit from being on the other side of the couch, and I believe the experience of individual, couples, or family therapy can go a long way to give new therapists not only personal insight, but also more empathy for their clients.

My private practice is located in downtown Columbia: 1330 Richland Street, which is on the corner of Richland and Marion Streets. As a SC Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor, I specialize in working with families and couples; as well as supervision of MFT Interns individually and in a group format. The bulk of my practice surrounds working with couples struggling through infidelity issues. My credentials include a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from USC, as well as licenses to practice and supervise, and a AAMFT designation of Approved Supervisor. I have been practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist for eight years in private practice. My website is the best way to locate my contact information: www.juliemlmartin.com .

I am proud of the unique participants in my practice. Specifically, I am referring to my husband and my dogs. My husband and I each contribute to our practice, as he is a psychiatrist with a forensic certification. At times we work together with couples and families, using our individual theories to more systemically address the issues presented.
Each day our two dogs travel to work with us and are our greatest assets in the practice! They come into our sessions and provide their own version of therapy for our clients. I have had many clients who state that knowing that we have our pets at work was the reason they chose our practice!