God's Therapist

Without warning the world of Arthur Martindale, a successful psychologist implodes. His wife Sandy dies in a tragic accident and his seductive Borderline Personality patient, Katherine Simmons, commits suicide. Martindale identifies the the Biblical Job, asking: "Why me, God?" Martindale's personal problems are compounded when an enigmatic physician requests therapy for depression. Over a half-century ago, Dr. Johannes Van DerKIrk survived the brutal Nazi occupation of his native Holland. But survival has come along with loss of faith in God and humanity. But when Martindale learns that his new patient was Katherine's physician, he becomes suspicious that the physician motive for seeking therapy may be nothing more than a smokescreen for investigating Martindale's possible role in Katherine's suicide. During therapy, Van DerKIrk laments that give the brutal history of the 20th century, even God might be depressed with the state of humanity. To uncover the mystery of Van DerKirk's despair, Martindale proposes they explore the premise by role-playing God on the psychoanalytical couch. Van DerKIrk will play God, and Martidnale will be the therapist--God's Therapist.

Without warning the world of Arthur Martindale, a successful psychologist implodes. Haunted by the death of his wife in a tragic accident, and the suicide of his seductive patient, Katherine Simmons, he identifies with the Biblical Job, asking "Why me, God?" Already under scrutiny by his licensing board because of Ms. Simmons suicide, Martindale is aware he is going out on a therapeutic limb treating a new patient, a Dutch physician, who has lost faith in God and humanity, with an unconventional treatment-role-playing God in therapy. Despite his misgivings, Martindale is prepared to place his trust in the therapeutic process. He faces the twin challenges of healing his troubled patient, while reconstructing his shattered personal life.

Barry Oblas, Ph.D., LCSW is a former Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. He then made the switch from the Biomedical to Behavioral Sciences, working as a mental health therapist in private practice. One of his speciality areas has been working with individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, a serious mental health condition featured in the film Girl Interrupted. Years of helping patients heal, combined with his interest in spirituality, served to underwrite the storyline of God's Therapist. His publications have appeared in scientific journals, health related magazines, and in community newspapers.