The “Second Injury” to Victims of Violent Acts

Became an officer in the New York Police Department after graduating from Brooklyn College. During this time he met his wife Alexandra, and after 7 years as a police officer he started his studies in medicine, earning his M.D. at Downstate Medical Center. Martin and Alexandra Symonds completed their psychoanalytic training at the American Institute for Psychoanalysis, and for the rest of their lives played important roles at the Karen Horney Psychoanalytic Center. Alexandra Symonds founded the Association of Women Psychiatrists in 1983 and wrote many important articles on feminine psychology and treatment of women. Martin Symonds established the Victim Treatment Center at the Karen Horney Clinic in 1974; the first facility in the country where specialized psychoanalytic trauma treatment was offered. He wrote many articles, trained generations of psychoanalysts in trauma treatment and continued to work until his death as director emeritus and consultant at the Karen Horney Psychoanalytic Center. At the same time, Martin Symonds continued his work with the New York City Police Department, first as a psychiatric consultant, then as a staff psychiatrist, and finally, as director of Psychological Services. In 1981, Martin Symonds played an important role as consultant to the government, when the U.S. Department of State selected him to debrief the Iranian hostages, released after a 444-day captivity. Dr. Alexandra Symonds died in 1992 and Dr. Martin Symonds died in 2000. Martin Symonds, M.D., Training and Supervising Analyst, American Institute for Psychoanalysis, Founding Director of the Victim Treatment Center, Karen Horney Clinic.