Is a fascinating story about a therapist and her own therapy. In the process, Gottlieb provides a behind-the-scenes look at counseling.
Pairs With: Caramel Brownies – or whatever you tend to eat in place of therapy.
Overview
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a peek behind the curtain of therapy.
What do therapists really think when you’re sitting there spilling your problems? What do other patients go to therapy for? Are my problems even big enough? What if I’m having a good day – should I even bother going to talk to someone or wait until I’m struggling again?
This story shares with you how therapy looks from the therapist’s point of view and from a patient’s point of view. The interesting curveball is that Lori Gottlieb is both the therapist and the patient!
Gottlieb shares how she became a therapist, after trying a couple of different career paths (relatable) and how an unexpected breakup brought her into therapy (also, relatable). She intertwines her personal story with stories from four of her own patients. One patient is a narcissist struggling with his marriage. Another a newlywed dying of cancer – be prepared to cry! Then there’s an old lady who is all alone and a young girl struggling with drinking and destructive patterns.
The book is a quick easy read but it’s not light. There are many sections where you are reminded of your own mortality and the mortality of those you love. And being reminded of death is never really an enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
This book answered many of my curiosities around therapy. I’ve always wondered what therapists think about their patients and if they’re as attached to the patient as the patients are to them. It was enjoyable to learn about therapy from a therapist’s POV and it felt more like a story than most nonfiction books.
Have you read this one or any others that are focused on therapy/counseling? We’d love to hear what you thought and/or your recommendations! 🙂
