The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients (P.S.)

The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients (P.S.)

Product Type: Book

Product Price: $14.99

Manufacturer: Harper Perennial

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Description

The culmination of master psychiatrist Dr. Irvin D. Yalom's more than thirty-five years in clinical practice, The Gift of Therapy is a remarkable and essential guidebook that illustrates through real case studies how patients and therapists alike can get the most out of therapy. The bestselling author of Love's Executioner shares his uniquely fresh approach and the valuable insights he has gained—presented as eighty-five personal and provocative "tips for beginner therapists," including:

A book aimed at enriching the therapeutic process for a new generation of patients and counselors, Yalom's Gift of Therapy is an entertaining, informative, and insightful read for anyone with an interest in the subject.

Speaking directly to the current generation of counselors, The Gift of Therapy lays out simple suggestions that blend personal experience with professional objectivity. This is a book that will remind you why you entered the field in the first place. With tips on avoiding diagnosis (except for insurance purposes), when to disclose personal information, and why it's important to leave time between patient appointments, the recommendations are aimed at therapists, but they may be useful to patients who want to know what to expect from their counselors. Some references to the DSM-IV may be a little over the layperson’s head, but in general the writing is clear and understandable for lay readers as well as professionals.

Each chapter is just a few pages long, a nice format for busy folks whose reading time occurs in snippets. A single topic is addressed in each chapter, and author Irvin Yalom doesn't waste any time in getting to the point. Many of the sections revolve around balancing the "magic, mystery, and authority" that come with the job of freeing your clients of their reliance on you.

From when to offer an occasional hug to finding the perfect time for deeper questioning, Yalom's experienced observations will help you achieve even greater professional effectiveness while avoiding some of the more obvious traps in this HMO-directed age of mental health care. --Jill Lightner

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-22
Summary: "Excellent book for therapists and patients"

Yalom's writing is clear, straightforward, and honest - just as I imagine he is in his therapy. This book is a must for clients and therapists alike, especially those who work within the interpersonal model. It's also interesting and engaging to read.

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-08-09
Summary: "The gift of Therapy"

This is a nice little book, truly a gift from Yalom! I am just starting my career in Social Work and appreciate his thoughts.

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-03
Summary: "Counseling"

A person to person helping view which allows the client to move themselves forward without pressure to perform. Yalom's view is not the norm.

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-06-30
Summary: "Another gem from Yalom"

Yalom is not just a master story teller, but also an inspirational teacher to professionals working in the area of mental health. This gem, an open letter to current and future generations of therapists, constitutes a series of brief chapters in which Yalom passes on his wisdom regarding the art of therapy. As a practicing clinical psychologist, I've found this book to be a rewarding and valuable resource and would recommend it to my colleagues. It's well written, easy to read, and is refreshingly free of technical jargon. His 'keep it real' perspective reminds us all that therapists are also human and as vulnerable to frailty as their clients. It really is a gift.

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-04-18
Summary: "Helpful information - but somewhat disorganized"

This was a book I generally found interesting and easy to understand, but it felt somewhat disorganized. It seems to cover a collection of topics, all of which seem important to therapy but the flow was uneven. I was also a bit concerned about some of the advice given to do with patient-therapist boundaries (eg. therapist self disclosure). As a beginning therapist I felt uncomfortable with some of the suggestions, although others were very useful. Overall, worth a read.