Carolyn C. Martin MS, LPC - Psychotherapist (She/Her)

Let me start by saying that I have a fascination with butterflies and have had it since I was a child watching them live and work in the hollow of a tree in my great-grandmother's back yard. This was, also, the genesis of my interest in behavioral psychology. Several years ago, I discovered an interesting fact. There is a Native American legend that says, “If you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whisper your secret to it. Since butterflies cannot speak, your secret is forever safe in their keeping. Then set the butterfly free to take your secret to the Great Spirit.” Butterflies are a powerful symbol of change, transformation, and metamorphosis. The butterfly is a natural metaphor for the transformation of the human spirit. Through the struggle of change, we as human beings become strong enough to emerge from our cocoon and courageously face the world as stronger beings. Our psyche longs to be a “butterfly of the air.” In Greek, psyche is the word for both soul and butterfly. Transformation is our destiny, our crucible of change leading to new ways of thinking and behaving, adapting to the world around us in ways that set us free. The butterfly is a reminder to make changes when the opportunity arises or when it is demanded of us. After learning of this folklore, I had an idea for a book, wrote it and then decided I wanted to turn it into a movie script. The premise was based on my experience as a therapist having clients “whisper their secrets to me for safe keeping.” Though the goal of a therapist is to help their clients change, the process of trying to achieve this goal, changes the therapist. This is the premise of the book and script. It explores the question, "Who, metaphorically, is the the butterfly--the client or the therapist?" The book and script were my homage to all the brave clients who have trusted me with their secret inner worlds. I named the book and script The Secret Life of a Butterfly. So, as the client changes, so does the therapist. I have undying gratitude to all the clients I have counseled over the years who are helping me become the best version of myself as they too change into the best versions of themselves.