"We’re in a global mental health crisis, and unfortunately many people feel disillusioned after their first attempt at therapy. To me, saying this is the equivalent of saying “I tried sports and I didn’t like it” when all you played was lawn bowling, once." Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the closed door of the therapist's office? What's revealed there may surprise you.
Similar to Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, this book delves into what goes on behind the doors of psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher's doors. This includes his personal thoughts, feelings and behaviors towards clients as well as these stories from his highly regarded clients. Structured around four client case studies, Joshua Fletcher lifts the veil of secrecy around an often-misunderstood profession. He details, with care and compassion, his clients’ nonlinear path to health and healing, as he works with them to overcome their anxiety. Along the way, Joshua chronicles the voices in his own head that act both as a hindrance and a guide in his treatments. He also educates his audience on anxiety and psychotherapy, explaining the origins of anxiety and the different modalities of therapy, in the hopes of normalizing the conversation around mental health.
"It’s important to remember that therapists are as human as everybody else. It’s okay to see them like any other human inside or outside the therapy room. Therapists don’t have everything worked out. We are flawed, we have our vices, and we constantly work on our own personal stuff." As a therapist, I couldn't have said it better myself. This book offers a glimpse into the not-so-scary side of therapy. "I promise that there is no omnipotent know-it-all waiting for you on the other side of the therapy-room door, ready to pounce at the first chance to judge or shame you. Instead, the person who awaits you is, ideally, someone who wants to listen and is willing to be a conscientious, nonjudgmental guest in your world for a short while."
Fletcher does an excellent job of portraying the often misinterpreted field of therapy. He honestly and vulnerably portrays himself as a human doing his best while trying to maintain positive human regard, professionalism, and hope for each of his clients. Throughout four client stories, we see what it's like to be in the intimate of rooms: the therapy office.
"Good therapy—beautiful therapy—is a life-enhancing experience as much as it is a remedial or mitigating experience. Good therapy is a gift." Highly recommend this book if you are at all interested in therapy, mental health, self help, anxiety...I. could go on and on.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins & Joshua Fletcher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Out 3/14/24 - def pick this up!