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Intensive Therapy
Psychoanalyst-in-training Dr. Jonas Speller still has a lot to learn when he meets college student Victoria Schone, whose troubled relationship with her parents has her teetering on the verge of suicide. As Jonas struggles to make sense of his feelings for Victoria, he helps her become her own person and stand up to her overpowering mother, while she challenges the budding doctor to become more emotionally forthcoming and involved with her. Years later, a crisis in Victoria’s life reunites doctor and patient, forcing them to confront poignant truths about themselves, their families, and their powerful feelings for each other. Intensive Therapy: A Novel takes readers deep inside the hearts and minds of analyst and patient as they grapple with the limits of doctor-patient propriety. The novel, Deitz’s first, has garnered widespread praise both within the therapy community and the literary world.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 6, 2016
This is one of those books that I decided I needed to let a few weeks go by before I sit down to write the review. I thought time would help me clarify my thoughts and feelings about this book. I don't feel I am any closer to grasping a definitive answer but maybe by the end of the review, it will make more sense.
The story is told in two separate time periods. Dr. Jonas Speller is a psychotherapist. In the earlier period of the story, he is finishing up his training, undergoing psychotherapy himself as part of the processes required to enter the profession while also working as a therapist at a university.
Victoria Schone is a student who undergoes therapy with Dr. Speller during this earlier period. She is overcome by feelings of mania, depression, suicidal thoughts and feelings and a desperate need to regain control of her racing thoughts and feelings.
As the story opens however, we meet the two leads at a later time in their lives. Dr. Speller is an established and well respected psychotherapist who has been part of the changing face of the mental health field. Although his training and the therapy he undertook was to lay on the couch and speak to a stream of conscious thought without much feedback from his therapist, he prefers to have more of a dialogue with his patients which includes divulging at least some personal details about himself.
Victoria Schone-Braun, is now a married mother of two and a successful attorney. She and her husband run a law firm that they actually live above. They are the parents of two teenagers. The oldest is a daughter that is going through some kind of mental health issue of her own and the youngest is their son who is seemingly perfect in his mother's eyes and who is frustrated by the behavior of his sister.
The story goes back and forth in a very clear way. The earlier dates tend to focus on the therapy sessions and unfold the issues and problems faced by Victoria as well as the development of Jonas as a therapist and a person. We get to see who and how Jonas met and married his wife but we do not get a very full story about the adoption of his two children.
On the other hand, we do not get to know much about the background of how Victoria met and married her husband which is odd because throughout the part set in the more current era, problems in the marriage are constantly alluded to but we have no background on the marriage itself. We are however, given more background on her role as a mother to both her son and daughter.
Without giving away any more of the story, a crisis occurs in Victoria's life which prompts her to re-establish contact with Dr. Speller seeking both advice and a referral. The contact prompts Jonas to drop everything in order to help Victoria. He acknowledges that there is a special connection between the two – a connection that Victoria also feels.
The book is an interesting look at the doctor/patient relationship in therapy as well as the therapeutic process itself. There are times that ideas emerge that are great jumping off points for discussions around mental health, the impact of parents on our development, how our experiences in youth shape us as adults and questions around what constitutes ethical and unethical behavior.
But, there are enough times that the book takes off on flights of fancy and incredible threads that have you shaking your head as a reader and wondering why this author's editor didn't take the bull by the horns and tell the author that he was going in a direction that really pressed the boundaries of reality and taste. There were also threads that I wish the author had pursued more thoroughly such as Victoria's marriage and Jonas' relationship with his adoptive children. Those were touched upon so superficially and yet, they felt like they were important to the story.
I give the book a solid three stars. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. I was engrossed but I could put it down and walk away for a few days while I read other things in between. It is a book pregnant with possibility but a story not fully realized.
The story is told in two separate time periods. Dr. Jonas Speller is a psychotherapist. In the earlier period of the story, he is finishing up his training, undergoing psychotherapy himself as part of the processes required to enter the profession while also working as a therapist at a university.
Victoria Schone is a student who undergoes therapy with Dr. Speller during this earlier period. She is overcome by feelings of mania, depression, suicidal thoughts and feelings and a desperate need to regain control of her racing thoughts and feelings.
As the story opens however, we meet the two leads at a later time in their lives. Dr. Speller is an established and well respected psychotherapist who has been part of the changing face of the mental health field. Although his training and the therapy he undertook was to lay on the couch and speak to a stream of conscious thought without much feedback from his therapist, he prefers to have more of a dialogue with his patients which includes divulging at least some personal details about himself.
Victoria Schone-Braun, is now a married mother of two and a successful attorney. She and her husband run a law firm that they actually live above. They are the parents of two teenagers. The oldest is a daughter that is going through some kind of mental health issue of her own and the youngest is their son who is seemingly perfect in his mother's eyes and who is frustrated by the behavior of his sister.
The story goes back and forth in a very clear way. The earlier dates tend to focus on the therapy sessions and unfold the issues and problems faced by Victoria as well as the development of Jonas as a therapist and a person. We get to see who and how Jonas met and married his wife but we do not get a very full story about the adoption of his two children.
On the other hand, we do not get to know much about the background of how Victoria met and married her husband which is odd because throughout the part set in the more current era, problems in the marriage are constantly alluded to but we have no background on the marriage itself. We are however, given more background on her role as a mother to both her son and daughter.
Without giving away any more of the story, a crisis occurs in Victoria's life which prompts her to re-establish contact with Dr. Speller seeking both advice and a referral. The contact prompts Jonas to drop everything in order to help Victoria. He acknowledges that there is a special connection between the two – a connection that Victoria also feels.
The book is an interesting look at the doctor/patient relationship in therapy as well as the therapeutic process itself. There are times that ideas emerge that are great jumping off points for discussions around mental health, the impact of parents on our development, how our experiences in youth shape us as adults and questions around what constitutes ethical and unethical behavior.
But, there are enough times that the book takes off on flights of fancy and incredible threads that have you shaking your head as a reader and wondering why this author's editor didn't take the bull by the horns and tell the author that he was going in a direction that really pressed the boundaries of reality and taste. There were also threads that I wish the author had pursued more thoroughly such as Victoria's marriage and Jonas' relationship with his adoptive children. Those were touched upon so superficially and yet, they felt like they were important to the story.
I give the book a solid three stars. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. I was engrossed but I could put it down and walk away for a few days while I read other things in between. It is a book pregnant with possibility but a story not fully realized.
July 24, 2015
Intensive Therapy by Jeffrey Deitz has a compelling story line and kept me interested from start to finish though with some deep reservations. As a therapist, I enjoyed reading about a particular place and time when psychotherapy went through a sea change and the distant patient-therapist relationship became less rigid, distant and codified by theories that were probably more hurtful then helpful. Although I do believe that certain clients call up a deeper response in ourselves as therapists than others, and that this is part of the journey, it is up to the therapist to manage this within certain professional boundaries. Dr. Speller walked those boundaries pretty precariously and, at times, not well at all. Some parts made me laugh especially when it came to Dr Speller putting himself out there as Victoria Schone-Braun's savior as if only he could do that. He seriously needed some supervision to help him with his own issues. We are supposed to like/be attached/love our therapist but when our therapist becomes too attached to clients the result can be very problematic, especially for clients. Nonetheless, it was a easy read, an engrossing read and I did enjoy how Dr Speller became disenchanted with traditional psychotherapy and was brave enough to make a change. I just think he needed help making this a more productive and useful change for him and his clients.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book for an honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book for an honest opinion.
April 4, 2015
Intensive Therapy is a good read. The characters are genuine and compelling. You care about them from the first page of the book. The story is complex and interesting and reflects how messy life can be, for all of us. And not only is this a great book to read it inspired me to think about myself and my interactions with family and friends, to look inside and ponder. I was sad for this book to end and happy knowing I am better for having read it. Jeffrey Deitz has crafted a fine novel that you will want to read and have a hard time putting down.
March 31, 2016
The author harassed me because I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC and did not post a review, which I am under no obligation to do.
So here goes: this book is ludicrous, badly written, and based on a ridiculous premise.
So here goes: this book is ludicrous, badly written, and based on a ridiculous premise.
October 1, 2015
Just poor writing. Couldn't stomach it.
August 12, 2017
Well written book. Makes one wish they knew more about psychiatry. Was sad in some ways but the story was believable. I could see situations such as the book keyed in on as important. Am glad that so far I have not been in the situation they were in. Almost seemed as if a sequel would come from tis book. Thanks for the reading.
June 2, 2015
Once in awhile I step out of my preferred genre and read something completely different. The problem though is that most popular fiction makes me feel as if I just got slapped in the face with a wet carp. Most popular fiction has the same formula so it's hard to really judge it fairly. This book didn't make me feel like that.
Jeffery DIez has written an interesting novel that has builds up the story well. We meet Jonas and Victoria twenty years ago as she's entering therapy and then meet up again when she begins having some problems with her daughter and needs a therapist for her. The thing is that as you're reading it you kind of have an idea of what's going to happen, and the other characters while well written are just there to keep the plot going toward it's conclusion,
This is the type of novel that soccer moms, grandma's, and stay at home moms fawn over at their book club meetings and let me say that I don't mean that to be offensive because Intensive Therapy should be discussed and discussed often, It's a well written novel that does try and avoid the popular cliches that all popular fiction falls into.
If you look at it as anything than other than what it is you're going to hate it because we all know that this book is totally implausible, but I loved it because the story is told well and I knew going in that it would be a light fluffy read.. This is the kind of book that you read and are instantly hooked. Sometimes it these light fluffy books that really grab your attention.
I liked how DIetz handled Victoria and Jonas' story. These are people you can't help but like and when they meet twenty years later the spark is still there. Like I said, I don't normally read this type of fiction so for me to like it there has to be something there that grabs my attention and that is Dietz's writing style. This guy knows how to hook you in and that to me is what makes a good book. Even if it is totally implausible you're too hooked into the story to care. I got this copy of Intensive Therapy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Jeffery DIez has written an interesting novel that has builds up the story well. We meet Jonas and Victoria twenty years ago as she's entering therapy and then meet up again when she begins having some problems with her daughter and needs a therapist for her. The thing is that as you're reading it you kind of have an idea of what's going to happen, and the other characters while well written are just there to keep the plot going toward it's conclusion,
This is the type of novel that soccer moms, grandma's, and stay at home moms fawn over at their book club meetings and let me say that I don't mean that to be offensive because Intensive Therapy should be discussed and discussed often, It's a well written novel that does try and avoid the popular cliches that all popular fiction falls into.
If you look at it as anything than other than what it is you're going to hate it because we all know that this book is totally implausible, but I loved it because the story is told well and I knew going in that it would be a light fluffy read.. This is the kind of book that you read and are instantly hooked. Sometimes it these light fluffy books that really grab your attention.
I liked how DIetz handled Victoria and Jonas' story. These are people you can't help but like and when they meet twenty years later the spark is still there. Like I said, I don't normally read this type of fiction so for me to like it there has to be something there that grabs my attention and that is Dietz's writing style. This guy knows how to hook you in and that to me is what makes a good book. Even if it is totally implausible you're too hooked into the story to care. I got this copy of Intensive Therapy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 22, 2016
Analyst, Jonas Speller and his patient, Victoria Scheine-Bloch first meet in the early 1980s, when he helps her through a difficult time in her life. Thirty years later a crisis brings the two into contact again.
There are so many things I love about this book. There’s the detail of the analytic process for both analyst and patient and how that process impacts on each of their lives, helping them get past blocks in order to become the adults they deserve to be. Then there’s the back and forth of the timelines, seeing both characters in their past and present lives. Knowing they’ll meet again adds a tension to the narrative. While reading about their sessions and seeing their adult selves and their family life, there’s the question of how they are going to meet and what will happen when they do.
So, as you can tell, the build-up really works for me. However, the dramatic incident that results in Jonas and Victoria meeting again turns the story into too much of a melodrama for me. At a moment in the story that calls for the reader to be emotionally engaged I became distanced and critical of what was going on and therefore critical of what follows. Also bits of background information about the doctor’s wider family are brought in towards the last third of the book, and they seem a slightly awkward way for the author to explain issues that should have arisen as a natural part of the storytelling.
Setting aside my quibbles about the melodramatic aspects of the story, I think this is an excellent book for those of us interested in the relationship between analyst and client.
There are so many things I love about this book. There’s the detail of the analytic process for both analyst and patient and how that process impacts on each of their lives, helping them get past blocks in order to become the adults they deserve to be. Then there’s the back and forth of the timelines, seeing both characters in their past and present lives. Knowing they’ll meet again adds a tension to the narrative. While reading about their sessions and seeing their adult selves and their family life, there’s the question of how they are going to meet and what will happen when they do.
So, as you can tell, the build-up really works for me. However, the dramatic incident that results in Jonas and Victoria meeting again turns the story into too much of a melodrama for me. At a moment in the story that calls for the reader to be emotionally engaged I became distanced and critical of what was going on and therefore critical of what follows. Also bits of background information about the doctor’s wider family are brought in towards the last third of the book, and they seem a slightly awkward way for the author to explain issues that should have arisen as a natural part of the storytelling.
Setting aside my quibbles about the melodramatic aspects of the story, I think this is an excellent book for those of us interested in the relationship between analyst and client.
June 24, 2015
Timeline 1980-2004.
Dr. Jonas Speller (Psychoanalyst, Professor, Clinical Psychology, Neurology, Mount Sinai), was seeing Victoria Schone-Braun. She was having issues with her parents.
Later in life Victoria seeks Dr. Speller help with troubles in her marriage Gregory Braun (husband) & daughter Melinda Braun.
There is a problem he also is also struggling with family issues.
How will Dr. Jonas Speller life turn out?
How will Victoria Schone-Braun life turn out?
How many times as a crisis or school MSW I heard these stories.
A very impressive resume.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written could be true-to-life psychological family book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great psychological family movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Greenleaf Book Group Press; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Dr. Jonas Speller (Psychoanalyst, Professor, Clinical Psychology, Neurology, Mount Sinai), was seeing Victoria Schone-Braun. She was having issues with her parents.
Later in life Victoria seeks Dr. Speller help with troubles in her marriage Gregory Braun (husband) & daughter Melinda Braun.
There is a problem he also is also struggling with family issues.
How will Dr. Jonas Speller life turn out?
How will Victoria Schone-Braun life turn out?
How many times as a crisis or school MSW I heard these stories.
A very impressive resume.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written could be true-to-life psychological family book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great psychological family movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Greenleaf Book Group Press; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 8, 2016
Intensive Therapy by Jeffrey Deitz is stunning. It has opened up my eyes to a whole new topic such as psychotherapy. This was an area completely foreign to me and was interesting to read about in a fictional sense. The relationship between the doctor and client blurred over the normal lines of professionalism. Something deeper and crazier happened between the doctor and client. Here, inside this novel, readers will get a taste of what happens when two people allow themselves to get more involved than normal. A doctor leans more away from his current practice and more towards a new direction. However, that doesn't occur until his most recent client, Victoria comes to him. She brings about changes in life that affect his work and changes him as an individual. Victoria has several issues and worries. But that's what Jonas is for...to help her solve those issues and make her life a lot easier to handle. I have found this tale beautifully written with humor. The characters' journeys have started out rough but soon have smoothed out in the end. The dynamics of life keep not only the characters puzzled but the readers as well. Interesting, suspenseful, and addictive to read. Intensive Therapy by Jeffrey Deitz is indeed a must read for all. I highly recommend it.
May 31, 2015
A young psychiatrist, Jonas, treats Victoria when she is in college. They make an impression on each other. Twenty years pass as each of them gets on with their lives and start families of their own. Worried by her teenage daughter's withdrawal, Victoria seeks professional help from Jonas again. This is a powerful story of two people's lives, how they intersect, and the consequences of just one moment in time. It's told well and is heart-stopping at its climax. It is easy for the reader to identify with both lead characters and the reactions of all their family members. The only criticism I have is that the dialogue felt clunky at times mainly due to the inclusion of a character's name in most of the responses which felt unnatural and disturbed the flow. I read it before going to sleep, which isn't a good idea when you are past the middle and it gets very suspenseful! I became so involved in the characters' lives that the ending felt very abrupt - not sure whether that is just me or whether it really is too abrupt. Look forward to seeing more stories from this author.
February 15, 2016
3.5 stars This book is better than average and admirable for a first novel. In trying to figure out why I didn't give it a higher rating, I can think of two things. The first is character development. I had a hard time getting to know Victoria at first; I wanted more of a physical description so I could get a clear mental image of her. This was a different approach- getting into the psyche of characters so quickly before we get to know all of their superficial characteristics. I felt I had better grip on the character of Jonas Speller- a likable, caring, highly intelligent but grounded psychiatrist. I definitely enjoyed the past and present approach to the novel and how the characters changed in many ways over twenty years but their unresolved emotional issues remained with them. The family crises' in Victoria's family were gut wrenching to read about but made for a real page turner.
July 5, 2016
Very easy to read novel covering topics of mental disorders, dysfunctional families and the friends we need in our lives to keep us sane. Slipping back and forth in time, a mother’s bi-polarism visits itself on her daughter. But even when you know what the problem is, doesn’t mean you know how to deal. Where most families would close ranks and start to throw blame, Victoria is fortunate enough to understand there is a difference between antisocial behavior and lost souls screaming for help. It still doesn’t make it any easier to forgive and forget, but perhaps, in life, we aren’t meant to do that. Deitz lets us all dissect the human mind to discover the unexpected physical outbursts and while we’re only human, humans are built to love.
An advanced copy of this book was provided for an honest review.
An advanced copy of this book was provided for an honest review.
September 27, 2015
Review of Intensive Therapy by Jeffrey Deitz MD
I very much enjoyed reading this novel and seeing how the relationship unfolds between Jonas, the psychiatrist and Victoria, the patient in therapy. The fact that it was written by a psychiatrist made it even more real for me since I never questioned the authenticity of the novel. When Victoria has a problem with her own daughter, the reader is gripped once again. At times, I thought of the show, In Treatment, particularly how a therapist in this country has to be so careful to not cross the line. The story held my interest from beginning to end and I look forward to Jeffrey Deitz’s next novel.
I very much enjoyed reading this novel and seeing how the relationship unfolds between Jonas, the psychiatrist and Victoria, the patient in therapy. The fact that it was written by a psychiatrist made it even more real for me since I never questioned the authenticity of the novel. When Victoria has a problem with her own daughter, the reader is gripped once again. At times, I thought of the show, In Treatment, particularly how a therapist in this country has to be so careful to not cross the line. The story held my interest from beginning to end and I look forward to Jeffrey Deitz’s next novel.
April 28, 2015
I'm not a doctor or analyst so it was interesting to learn about both neurosurgery and psychoanalysis. I never thought about the interaction between doctor and patient before I read this book.
I especially was gripped from the middle on once an accident occurs, and the family is challenged both physically and psychologically.
I miss the characters now that I finished the book. I hope Deitz continues the story.
I especially was gripped from the middle on once an accident occurs, and the family is challenged both physically and psychologically.
I miss the characters now that I finished the book. I hope Deitz continues the story.
February 19, 2016
Ah, If only it was all so clear in real life. Dr. Dietz has written a medically and psychologically accurate compelling story. His craftsmanship is excellent. His knowledge and insights are deep. I wonder if someone other than a medical professional can read it with as much pleasure as I.
Four stars as I think that this might not be the case. As in the Martian it is occasionally technically overwhelming.
Four stars as I think that this might not be the case. As in the Martian it is occasionally technically overwhelming.
August 1, 2015
Receiving a copy of Jeffrey Deitz's INTENSIVE THERAPY via a Goodreads First Reads giveaway, I found the novel to be a fascinating fictional portrayal of a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst and his patient. Spanning twenty years and crisis after crisis, the novel shares insights into both the patient and the therapist and their shared bond. I heartily recommend this character driven novel...
June 3, 2015
I received this book through GoodReads First Reads. 4 stars! Very interesting. Imagine a therapist living in denial. Very sharp, the author delves deep into the thoughts and feelings of the characters.
May 22, 2015
This story was immediately engaging and easy to follow. I was a little bit disappointed that some of the "issues" in the story were "fixed" so quickly, but the storyline and characters were still good. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
March 27, 2015
This book takes place over 20 years between a woman and a Psychiatrist. THe Dr. is in training when he meets her and she contacts him again when her marriage and teenager are in trouble. Good story of the relationship between the two characters.
June 16, 2015
Intensive Therapy was a wonderfully written book..I enjoyed reading every page . It made me feel as if I the reader was actually there..The story itself kept me reading I never wanted to put it down . Hope the writer writes another book cause I'll be the first to buy it !!!
July 7, 2015
Intensive Therapy is a page turner. The characters are so flawed and so lovable. The story kept me up at night.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews