Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
I dunno, there are likeable things about the book but overall I found the author pretty insufferable and hard to relate to (who tf manages to have a thriving career in television producing Friends and ER, then decide to quit and get into STANFORD medical school, decide to quit THAT and become a journalist for the Atlantic, and then decide to quit AGAIN and become a successful therapist in private practice in one of the most expensive cities in the world????? All before the age of 40??? Like either she is incredibly talented at a remarkable level, or that's class privilege). All the stories seemed to wrap up neatly and tidily and people's problems were conveniently solved after one year of therapy. Like it wanted to dive into the messiness of life but only wanted to do that if everything could still get "better" at the end. It felt extremely far removed from my experience of being in therapy for many years.
At the same time, there were some touching stories and I appreciated reading about the experience of therapy in a more vulnerable and less clinical way. Maybe give it to a friend or family member who is scared of starting therapy, as a way to open them up to the idea.
At the same time, there were some touching stories and I appreciated reading about the experience of therapy in a more vulnerable and less clinical way. Maybe give it to a friend or family member who is scared of starting therapy, as a way to open them up to the idea.
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Part memoir, part Therapy 101
This book is fun to read, if a tad overlong. Lori takes the reader through a time in her life while she was in post-breakup therapy while also seeing her own patients. Funny, heartwarming, and smart — self aware, too, when she compares herself to Elizabeth Gilbert in a not super kind way. Lori’s problems seem small and a bit bougie at first (she doesn’t want to write a book she already took a hefty advance for!) but underneath the surface of her issues are a lot of relatable fears and plenty of growth and wisdom.
It made me think a lot and didn’t get weighted down by too much seriousness, but I struggled in my reading without an explanation for how real Lori’s sessions with her patients could be or if they were all just made up for the reader’s benefit. They seemed too specific to be real without some explicit permission, but if this was explained I missed it.
This book is fun to read, if a tad overlong. Lori takes the reader through a time in her life while she was in post-breakup therapy while also seeing her own patients. Funny, heartwarming, and smart — self aware, too, when she compares herself to Elizabeth Gilbert in a not super kind way. Lori’s problems seem small and a bit bougie at first (she doesn’t want to write a book she already took a hefty advance for!) but underneath the surface of her issues are a lot of relatable fears and plenty of growth and wisdom.
It made me think a lot and didn’t get weighted down by too much seriousness, but I struggled in my reading without an explanation for how real Lori’s sessions with her patients could be or if they were all just made up for the reader’s benefit. They seemed too specific to be real without some explicit permission, but if this was explained I missed it.
I feel like i’ve been profoundly changed by this book, it was such a good story on the insight of humanity, making mistakes and coming to terms with than, and being okay with where we are in the NOW. I’m so so happy i didn’t abandon this book (it felt slow at first, but now i know why), seriously such a good read!!
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
As somebody who works in the mental health field, I appreciate this book for the way that it discusses psychotherapy and patient-practitioner relationships. This book humanizes therapists, normalizes mental health treatment, and makes applied theory super digestible, all while telling a lovely story that is both uplifting and painfully honest. The book is written a bit like Gottlieb's personal diary, without a real climax or clear-cut resolution, so I did find myself getting bored at times. It was somewhat repetitive, a bit too long, and contained lulls throughout. I also found myself rolling my eyes at some of Gottlieb's overly corny narration. Overall, really glad I read this book- it certainly filled my heart up.