Counselor Spotlight: Isaiah
Isaiah Martin, Counseling Intern shares his counseling journey.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
With my loving family, I grew up here in South Jersey. In our family system everyone tried to please everyone. I wonder how that worked out? I was a product of the black church, hip-hop culture, and athletics. These intersectional identities have informed much of the things I value today. For instance, on a Sunday I could easily be found watching 3 football games throughout the day, engaging at church from sun up to sundown, or blasting Andy Mineo’s Never Land album at the gym. As an aside, I also played football at the University of New Hampshire, where I came to faith and was discipled by my Athletes InterVarsity staff workers.
What do you do for fun?
For fun I enjoy reading non-fiction books (unpopular opinion), working out, and going on nature walks. That last one is hard to say, because I once enjoyed going on hikes, but my football injuries are starting to catch up with me so I have had to settle for less intense terrains.
Favorite book, movie, or artist?
My favorite book is probably Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? by Michael Morales. It is part of a fabulous collection of books in the New Studies of Biblical Theology (NSBT) collection.
What does your ideal day look like?
“An ideal day is April 25th, because it’s not too hot or cold and all you need is a light jacket.” Extra points for everyone who knew the Miss Congeniality reference. In all seriousness, I would love to start the day off praying or worshiping with close friends, cooking breakfast, hanging out with loved ones, having a intense conversation that is a mix between theological and philosophical, followed by the final cooking of a meal.
Cake or pie?
You may hate my answer but my favorites are sweet potato pie (which some may argue isn’t really a pie) and cheese cake (which some may argue isn’t really a cake). Apparently the old adage is true, you can’t please everyone.
What was your journey to becoming a counselor?
My undergraduate degree was in Psychology. My mother was a Social Worker and I loved shows like Criminal Minds; the field of social sciences fascinated me. Fast forward to my time on InterVarsity staff, I developed skills related to sitting with people who were in pain. This has shaped my posture as it relates to journeying with others empathetically. Finally, as I was discerning what I felt the Lord leading me into I did an inventory on my passions, skills, and impact—coupled with the input of others that have been wise counsel to me—and counseling made sense for me moving forward. In many ways it felt like a hand in a glove.
Describe your approach to counseling.
I take a Person-Centered posture to counseling, integrated with a Psychodynamic approach and paired with CBT interventions where appropriate. The heart behind this form of integration is being able to sit with and look at the whole client, while having some quick and practical tools when needed. Similar to a General Practitioner for the physical body, this form of integration allows me to journey with clients with ailments to the mind or the heart.
What areas of counseling are you most passionate about?
I am very passionate about helping men find healing through biblically-integrated interventions. What would it look like for there to be a culture of men who are emotionally present and intentional in their efforts to be men of God? What could change in our cities, in our families?
Any advice for someone considering becoming a counselor?
I would encourage someone who is considering entering the counseling profession to consider your “why.” Entering the counseling profession comes at a cost financially and emotionally. Yet, I am finding an intimacy with God that far outweighs the knapsack of resources I could carry on a journey elsewhere. There is a gift found in being able to walk with another image bearer of the Most High God. There is a privilege in being tasked with helping someone untangle the lies held onto for too long. This profession is one that is weighty, and so being clear on your “why” from the beginning will help when things aren’t as clear later.