Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynda Martin

Hi Lynda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

My journey into therapy began as a quiet, curious child who often felt out of place. People confided in me, sharing their trauma and pain, and I felt a deep need to help them. This led me to pursue extensive training in trauma work, somatic healing, and attachment theory.

Growing up with dyslexia and struggling with depression and anxiety, I was always fascinated by the complexities of human relationships and how early attachment wounds influence adult behavior. I initially thought that if I learned enough, I could make sense of my experiences and fix myself. However, I eventually realized that there was nothing wrong with me and that you can’t think your way out of feeling feelings. This profound understanding transformed my approach to therapy and my personal growth.

In graduate school, I absorbed all the theories and techniques but found that real-world application taught me the most. During my internships, I navigated big emotions, family dynamics, and my own feelings of inadequacy. I was inspired by mentors like Carmen Goodin and Lalita Salins and learned crucial lessons about the systemic nature of mental health.

Founding Attached NY Marriage & Family Therapy was a culmination of my experiences and aspirations. I wanted to create a space where trauma-informed care is central, and both clients and clinicians can thrive. We offer services like individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, EMDR, somatic therapy, and couples intensives, particularly for those with attachment wounds or early childhood trauma.

Understanding my own differences and relationship dynamics drew me into learning. I’ve had amazing support systems but also challenging and toxic relationships and traumatic experiences. These experiences taught me that I couldn’t let the pains of the past excuse my unhealthy patterns. I had to sit with all parts of myself—the good, the bad, and the ugly—equally. This has deeply influenced how I work with clients and the type of business I am building.

The bumps along the way have been hard and painful, but I refuse to let them define me. Instead, I embrace them as part of my journey without romanticizing or avoiding them. This resilience is what I bring into my practice every day.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact I’ve had on my clients’ lives. Witnessing individuals, couples, and families grow, heal, and thrive is the most rewarding part of my work. The vulnerable moments shared in therapy and the transformative journeys my clients undertake are testaments to the power of compassionate, informed, and dedicated therapeutic practice.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

My journey has certainly not been a smooth road. Early on, I faced a significant shift when both my biological mom and my mom by choice were diagnosed with cancer just months before I was supposed to leave for college. This upheaval changed all my plans, and I had to manage the aftermath of the grief from these experiences.

Despite these challenges, I pursued my passion for therapy, eventually co-founding a three-person partnership with a vision of creating a balanced, trauma-informed practice. We put in extensive effort, DIYing legal work and creating training programs, hubs, websites, and marketing materials. However, we hit a major roadblock: in New York, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) can’t legally operate a business together. As the MFT, I had to step back from the partnership. Then, our third partner decided to leave at the last minute, just two weeks before my business partner was going on sabbatical. This forced us to put new hires on hold and left us short-staffed.

These unforeseen changes required me to pivot again quickly, leading to the establishment of my own practice, Attached NY Marriage & Family Therapy. Despite reducing my clinical work by 75% to focus on administrative roles, I used funds allocated for my salary to launch the new practice.

Through these struggles, I learned to embrace resilience. I refused to let the pains of the past define me, instead choosing to see them as part of my journey. This resilience is what I bring into my practice every day, helping clients navigate their own challenges and heal from trauma.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

At Attached NY Marriage & Family Therapy, we help individuals and relationships of all shapes and identities explore healing. We specialize in trauma-informed care for queer clients, those in consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationships, and marginalized communities. Our services include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, EMDR, somatic therapy, and couples intensives for those with attachment wounds or early childhood trauma. We focus on understanding how painful patterns from the past may block us, causing us to move into protective modes instead of cultivating closeness.

What sets us apart is our commitment to an anti-oppressive, systemic approach. We provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can fully grieve and feel into their wounds. In therapy, clients can acknowledge their pain and work on integrating these experiences into their full selves. This process is about recognizing that these scars are part of their story—they didn’t deserve them, and there’s no romanticizing them, but they can find security in themselves through the therapeutic relationship.

I am most proud of the inclusive and affirming environment we’ve created. Our clients can explore their identities, heal from trauma, and build healthier relationships. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, informed, and effective therapeutic care, helping clients achieve personal growth and healing.

Our goal is to help clients understand and integrate their pain, fostering a sense of security and wholeness. At Attached NY, we are dedicated to walking with you on your journey to healing and self-discovery.

Who else deserves credit in your story?

Many people have played a significant role in my journey and the success of Attached NY Marriage & Family Therapy.

Deanna: My steadfast business partner who has been through countless pivots and challenges with me. Her unwavering support and dedication have been crucial.

Lisa and Kara: My sisters by choice who keep me laughing when I want to break. Their humor and companionship are lifelines during tough times.

My Three Daughters: They keep me on my toes, inspire me, and drive me to be someone they can one day be proud of. Their presence in my life is a constant source of motivation.

Peers and Family Members: The ones who shared their stories with me, often not knowing what to do with their pain but seeking a way out. I will forever hold their stories and am grateful for their trust.

The Women Who Came Before Me: My mom, my chosen mom, my aunts, and my ancestors whose life experiences and stories have shaped who I am and how I see the world. Their resilience and wisdom continue to guide me. Even if they never found healing in their lifetimes, the ones who carried flaws gracefully or abusively, their experiences impact me every day and I’m grateful for the lessons and wish them peace.

My Amazing Therapist: She keeps showing up for me, helping me hold space for myself in authentic and compassionate ways. Her guidance is invaluable in my personal and professional growth.

These individuals and their roles in my life have been instrumental in shaping me and the practice. Their support, stories, and inspiration fuel my commitment to helping others heal and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.attached-therapy.com/ & https://www.relationshipindecision.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attached.therapy/
• Other: https://www.relationshipindecision.com/simplenoteasy