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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
I make it a practice to not rate memoirs and, while this isn't technically a memoir, it feels close enough to count. That being said, I did truly appreciate the insight into the various patients (characters?) and how ~The Gild~ was able to create a composite of each of them to express a case study on the value of therapy and the nearly incredulous resilience of humans.
Other reviews have pointed out that all five stories carry a common thread of childhood and/or sexual abuse or similar themes, but in a way, I appreciated that. People seek therapy for so many multitudes of reasons, but Dr. Gildiner was able to weave vastly different lives and stories together by utilizing those points of commonality.
It was a tough read, to be certain, and absolutely should be consumed only in the proper headspace to receive it. But overall, sans rating, I did appreciate the book.
Other reviews have pointed out that all five stories carry a common thread of childhood and/or sexual abuse or similar themes, but in a way, I appreciated that. People seek therapy for so many multitudes of reasons, but Dr. Gildiner was able to weave vastly different lives and stories together by utilizing those points of commonality.
It was a tough read, to be certain, and absolutely should be consumed only in the proper headspace to receive it. But overall, sans rating, I did appreciate the book.
I was delightfully surprised by the authenticity of this author's admissions and vulnerability when discussing her most heroic patients. She easily could have rewritten details to brush off or ignore the mistakes she made, but instead demonstrated for the reader how the nature of therapy can be flawed, as it inherently relies on imperfect humans supporting other imperfect humans. I have admiration and respect for Catherine, as well as the 5 individuals she wrote about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide
Last night I finished an amazing book, Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner. It took me just under 8 hours to finish this book, it was that engaging! Catherine Gildiner is a therapist who is sharing 5 stories, patients of hers who she calls psychological heroes. Five extraordinary people who heroically battled through therapy to come out on the other side. Each persons story is different, and heart breaking. I found myself weeping at the horrors each of these people endured. The amount of pain , physical and psychological that each of them endured is both appalling and amazing. Amazing they were able to work through all of the pain to come out on the other side! I am in awe of each of them!
3.75/5. I really enjoyed reading the stories about her patients but I found it to be a little boring at times.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
As someone working in the therapeutic world, I want to start by saying: huge trigger warnings for this book!!!. I’ve worked with people who’ve experienced very difficult things, and I’d like to think I’m fairly desensitised to trauma content … but even I had to put the book down at times to process the sheer horror of what some of the people in these stories endured. CSA and other forms of abuse are described in detail, so please be mindful if you choose to read it.
That said, I also feel this is essential reading for anyone who works in therapy or provides therapeutic support. While it doesn’t offer a perfect roadmap for trauma work, the case studies are deeply insightful. They show just how complex trauma is, how it can manifest, and the vital importance of the therapeutic relationship in helping someone rebuild.
One of the strengths of the book is its honesty: the author herself admits she doesn’t always get it right. And honestly? No therapist does. Therapy isn’t perfect because therapists are human. We all miss things sometimes, or jump ahead too quickly. That nuance is important, and I appreciated that it came through.
That said, I did feel uncomfortable at points, there were moments where the author seemed to feel she knew exactly what a client needed, sometimes even pushing beyond what I’d consider within one’s clinical competence, and not feeling at all collaborative. I felt this tension particularly because, in the UK, we place a lot of emphasis on working within our competence, supervision, and ethical guidelines, and collaboratively with our clients. This book is based in America, and things are obviously different there, but it still raised some concerns for me.
There’s also a broader issue this book touches on (perhaps unintentionally): the danger of under-trained / unregulated therapists doing harm rather than good. Especially now, when anyone can call themselves a “psychologist” in some contexts, I think this book is a reminder of how important good training and supervision are.
Despite all that, Good Morning, Monster is deeply powerful. The stories are painful, often harrowing, but also incredibly empowering. You read them and think, “How did they survive that? How did they heal?” It reminds you why this work matters.. and how easy it is for our own stuff to show up in the therapy room if we’re not careful.
If you’re a therapist or someone training to become one, I would recommend this book, with care. It’s not easy to read, but it’s rich in reflection and learning. M
That said, I also feel this is essential reading for anyone who works in therapy or provides therapeutic support. While it doesn’t offer a perfect roadmap for trauma work, the case studies are deeply insightful. They show just how complex trauma is, how it can manifest, and the vital importance of the therapeutic relationship in helping someone rebuild.
One of the strengths of the book is its honesty: the author herself admits she doesn’t always get it right. And honestly? No therapist does. Therapy isn’t perfect because therapists are human. We all miss things sometimes, or jump ahead too quickly. That nuance is important, and I appreciated that it came through.
That said, I did feel uncomfortable at points, there were moments where the author seemed to feel she knew exactly what a client needed, sometimes even pushing beyond what I’d consider within one’s clinical competence, and not feeling at all collaborative. I felt this tension particularly because, in the UK, we place a lot of emphasis on working within our competence, supervision, and ethical guidelines, and collaboratively with our clients. This book is based in America, and things are obviously different there, but it still raised some concerns for me.
There’s also a broader issue this book touches on (perhaps unintentionally): the danger of under-trained / unregulated therapists doing harm rather than good. Especially now, when anyone can call themselves a “psychologist” in some contexts, I think this book is a reminder of how important good training and supervision are.
Despite all that, Good Morning, Monster is deeply powerful. The stories are painful, often harrowing, but also incredibly empowering. You read them and think, “How did they survive that? How did they heal?” It reminds you why this work matters.. and how easy it is for our own stuff to show up in the therapy room if we’re not careful.
If you’re a therapist or someone training to become one, I would recommend this book, with care. It’s not easy to read, but it’s rich in reflection and learning. M
Case studies that illustrate “heroes.” Heartbreaking, informative.
dark
emotional
reflective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Abandonment