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Dr. Harper Therapy #1
I AM A THERAPIST AND MY PATIENT IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT SCHOOL SHOOTER
I'm a therapist, and I work with the most dangerous patients.
I've seen it all... A boy who planned to be the next school shooter. A patient with OCD whose loved ones really did suffer every time he missed a ritual. A choir boy who claimed he was being molested -- not by a priest -- but by God Himself. A patient with PTSD who gave me nightmares. A husband and wife who accused each other of abuse, and only one of them was telling the truth.
And how could I ever forget, Patient #220.
The problem is, my patients have a habit of dying. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the common denominator. Or maybe that's just the cost of taking on exceptionally broken clients.
Either way, I'll never stop trying to help.
I've seen it all... A boy who planned to be the next school shooter. A patient with OCD whose loved ones really did suffer every time he missed a ritual. A choir boy who claimed he was being molested -- not by a priest -- but by God Himself. A patient with PTSD who gave me nightmares. A husband and wife who accused each other of abuse, and only one of them was telling the truth.
And how could I ever forget, Patient #220.
The problem is, my patients have a habit of dying. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the common denominator. Or maybe that's just the cost of taking on exceptionally broken clients.
Either way, I'll never stop trying to help.
154 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 27, 2019
4905 people are currently reading
39801 people want to read
About the author
Dr. Harper
4 books638 followersDr. Harper is a fictional character. The stories, the books, and their website are fictional. The author is not a mental health professional.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,367 reviews
February 15, 2019
There just are no words to convey the depth of my confusion relative to the stellar ratings on this book. The premise is that Dr. Harper has compiled files of six “broken” patients he has treated—and he is allowing readers a peek at what’s inside. The files run the gamut from disturbing to creepy to flat out ridiculous. I expected to see traditional files, with the doodles and notes that Harper mentions at the start, but they were nonexistent. Perhaps it all circles back to formatting issues with the Kindle, but this book is simply a series of six first person narratives, with a paragraph or two added to the end of each as semi-footnotes. Every “file” is almost a short story, without the interesting “stuff”, like, you know, a purpose or even a plot. What they also have in common, besides being files of Harper’s patients, is that the stories all demonstrate Harper’s inadequacies as a therapist. In every single case he also documents his own behaviors, and they, without exception, prove to be unethical, unprofessional and possible examples of malpractice. I didn’t find Harper’s stories to be necessarily “bad”, nor were they entertaining or even funny. I’m not sure what Harper WANTED this to be, as his genre-confusion was evident in the inclusion of a school shooting at the beginning bookended by attempts at humor and social satire that falls flat. I am left shaking my head and hoping those with more insight can share the redeeming qualities I so obviously missed. Two stars because at least he wrote in complete sentences.
December 3, 2019
I nearly abandonned this knock-off creepypasta several times. Not only is the writing childish and better suited for a reddit forum, but the content was completely ridiculous. Each "patient file" is filled with unethical, illegal, and irrational actions and crappy dialogue. I finished the story in hopes of finding a redeeming quality, but I was left with disappointment and irritation.
Edit: I’m aware it began as a CreepyPasta/ reddit forum. I just believe it should have stayed there and it made for an unfulfilling book.
Edit: I’m aware it began as a CreepyPasta/ reddit forum. I just believe it should have stayed there and it made for an unfulfilling book.
April 19, 2019
Warning: This Book Is Fiction
I bought this ebook hoping for interesting files from a therapist’s casebook. Nope. It’s an amateurish novel that grows less believable with every page. Worse, the author seems to be offering their expertise as a counselor via a website, which I refuse to link.
Also, the therapist character is dangerously incompetent as well as unethical. Following your clients to spy on them, imprisoning one and forcing them into treatment, hiring another client as an assistant— none of these are recommended behaviors for a professional therapist.
I bought this ebook hoping for interesting files from a therapist’s casebook. Nope. It’s an amateurish novel that grows less believable with every page. Worse, the author seems to be offering their expertise as a counselor via a website, which I refuse to link.
Also, the therapist character is dangerously incompetent as well as unethical. Following your clients to spy on them, imprisoning one and forcing them into treatment, hiring another client as an assistant— none of these are recommended behaviors for a professional therapist.
February 4, 2019
So here’s the thing: I am absolutely not at all interested in horror, especially not things like psychological horrors/thrillers.
But I do have a Reddit and I am subscribed to r/nosleep, which previously I hadn’t read much of at all. Then a couple months ago, I saw a post titled “I’m a therapist, and my patient is going to be the next school shooter.” In a few paragraphs, I was hooked. I’ve read every single story Dr. Harper has posted as soon as possible over the last 2 months and I would recommend this series to everyone. Even if you don’t have money to buy the actual book, the stories were all posted originally on reddit. Read them now, thank me later.
But I do have a Reddit and I am subscribed to r/nosleep, which previously I hadn’t read much of at all. Then a couple months ago, I saw a post titled “I’m a therapist, and my patient is going to be the next school shooter.” In a few paragraphs, I was hooked. I’ve read every single story Dr. Harper has posted as soon as possible over the last 2 months and I would recommend this series to everyone. Even if you don’t have money to buy the actual book, the stories were all posted originally on reddit. Read them now, thank me later.
May 29, 2019
“Jesus Christ. I sounded like a fucking middle schooler.”
You sounded like a middle schooler, not just in that God-awful section, but as well as throughout the entire book. I’m pretty sure I have read fanfiction more believable than this book.
I’m really bummed because I bought this book believing it to be true stories told from an actual therapist and I am now thoroughly disappointed to find out that I had been poorly misled.
And the worst part is that it wasn’t even interesting enough to keep reading. Before you write a book and try to pass it off as “real” I would suggest doing some research, maybe attending a real therapy session, or something to make it at least somewhat believable.
You sounded like a middle schooler, not just in that God-awful section, but as well as throughout the entire book. I’m pretty sure I have read fanfiction more believable than this book.
I’m really bummed because I bought this book believing it to be true stories told from an actual therapist and I am now thoroughly disappointed to find out that I had been poorly misled.
And the worst part is that it wasn’t even interesting enough to keep reading. Before you write a book and try to pass it off as “real” I would suggest doing some research, maybe attending a real therapy session, or something to make it at least somewhat believable.
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September 11, 2024DNF at 46% (3° story)
I'm sorry but since I saw that the son had fallen in love with his own father I said: Enough with this book 🤢
The first story was really interesting. The second one was a complete disaster and I couldn't finish the third one for the reasons I put above 🤢💀
I'm sorry but since I saw that the son had fallen in love with his own father I said: Enough with this book 🤢
The first story was really interesting. The second one was a complete disaster and I couldn't finish the third one for the reasons I put above 🤢💀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2020
Of course, this has little to do with anything remotely psychological. Still, an unusual series to flip through.
Q:
... my patients have a habit of dying. Alex isn’t the first, and I’m worried he won’t be the last. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the common denominator. Or maybe that’s just the cost of taking on exceptionally broken clients. (c)
Q:
I seriously think they’re just going to keep stabbing each other indefinitely. (c)
Q:
So… a patient who thinks he’s a… cow… has been eating your… grass. ...
“This is Officer Donahue, requesting backup for the cow situation.” (c)
Q:
... my patients have a habit of dying. Alex isn’t the first, and I’m worried he won’t be the last. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the common denominator. Or maybe that’s just the cost of taking on exceptionally broken clients. (c)
Q:
I seriously think they’re just going to keep stabbing each other indefinitely. (c)
Q:
So… a patient who thinks he’s a… cow… has been eating your… grass. ...
“This is Officer Donahue, requesting backup for the cow situation.” (c)
July 14, 2019
I thought it was pretty good...
The first half being better than the second in my opinion just because it seemed more realistic
Overall though an entertaining breezy read if you like psych horror, just be mindful it is a work of fiction and reads as such
The first half being better than the second in my opinion just because it seemed more realistic
Overall though an entertaining breezy read if you like psych horror, just be mindful it is a work of fiction and reads as such
February 20, 2019
Disappointed.
1 star The story line had the potential to be interesting, instead the book comes across as silly and juvenile
1 star The story line had the potential to be interesting, instead the book comes across as silly and juvenile
May 16, 2019
Loved it
Such a good read! Finished it in a few hours, can't wait to read more from Dr. Harper in the future.
Such a good read! Finished it in a few hours, can't wait to read more from Dr. Harper in the future.
March 7, 2019
Just....no.
May 27, 2019
Wow. That was terribly written. If I had a dollar for every time this narrator bit his lip... egad. EL James’s “inner goddess” would be proud. 🙄
Save yourself the time and energy and skip this one.
Save yourself the time and energy and skip this one.
June 25, 2021
Audio - 2.5 Stars
Story - 2.5 Stars
This is one of those "WTF am I not dnf-ing this?" books. It was so ridiculous with a lot of crazy, but I wanted to know where it was going. Now that I finished it, I'm still curious to know what else is going to happen. I need help.
Story - 2.5 Stars
This is one of those "WTF am I not dnf-ing this?" books. It was so ridiculous with a lot of crazy, but I wanted to know where it was going. Now that I finished it, I'm still curious to know what else is going to happen. I need help.
September 9, 2021
2.75/5
*I'm not going to give you the 'what this book is about' blurb - you can read that for yourself.
1. As a psychology major this book was seriously problematic.
2. As someone who enjoys reading and problematic situations this was relatively entertaining, yet I just couldn't get over how this would NEVER happen.
3. Except people are nuts (as the last 2 years have proven) so I guess I can't say it's beyond the realm of possibility. Psychologists are not perfect or beyond fault, so while improbable, it's not impossible.
4. I think I would have liked this story much more if written in a different format. This just felt a little disjointed and abbreviated. The plot has a lot of potential if written differently.
5. Am I mad I read this? No. Will I continue to read the Dr. Harper Therapy Books? Also No.
*I'm not going to give you the 'what this book is about' blurb - you can read that for yourself.
1. As a psychology major this book was seriously problematic.
2. As someone who enjoys reading and problematic situations this was relatively entertaining, yet I just couldn't get over how this would NEVER happen.
3. Except people are nuts (as the last 2 years have proven) so I guess I can't say it's beyond the realm of possibility. Psychologists are not perfect or beyond fault, so while improbable, it's not impossible.
4. I think I would have liked this story much more if written in a different format. This just felt a little disjointed and abbreviated. The plot has a lot of potential if written differently.
5. Am I mad I read this? No. Will I continue to read the Dr. Harper Therapy Books? Also No.
July 21, 2024
This book is hilariously entertaining. HAHA. I loved it. The therapist is such a fun character. But his patients? On another level. So funny.
Did I say I loved it? This series started as a Reddit thread. I remember reading it a few years back, when Reddit was amazing, filled with scary and crazy stories and threads. Ah, the good old days of Reddit.
Although a short read, the characters grew on me and I connected with their mental issues and sufferings. Some are evil, some are innocent and just needed help, and the rest are completely helpless.
I liked the therapist, and I'll be reading more of this series. Right about now.
Did I say I loved it? This series started as a Reddit thread. I remember reading it a few years back, when Reddit was amazing, filled with scary and crazy stories and threads. Ah, the good old days of Reddit.
Although a short read, the characters grew on me and I connected with their mental issues and sufferings. Some are evil, some are innocent and just needed help, and the rest are completely helpless.
I liked the therapist, and I'll be reading more of this series. Right about now.
March 14, 2020
Plenty of over-the-top contrivances but a real pageturner. I love true case files books so this fictional one kept me intrigued. Blew through it in a couple of days.
February 15, 2022
THIS WAS SO GOOD!
July 20, 2024
4.5 stars ...
OMG ... this is mindfuck creepiness at its best and I loved every twisted bit of it! 🤯 For fans of Stephen King's "psychological horror" (think 'Misery', 'The Shining', etc.), but this comes without all the wordy fluff that King is famous/infamous for. I will definitely be reading the rest of this off-the-hook series!
“Oh, what the hell does that have to do with anything?” I snapped.
“Doctor, be quiet,” my lawyer whispered urgently. “Please.”
I settled back into my chair, heart racing. And for the next two hours, I watched a steady stream of videos, evidence, and testimony that made my practice look like something out of a horror movie.
Let’s face it. I looked like a fucking psycho.
OMG ... this is mindfuck creepiness at its best and I loved every twisted bit of it! 🤯 For fans of Stephen King's "psychological horror" (think 'Misery', 'The Shining', etc.), but this comes without all the wordy fluff that King is famous/infamous for. I will definitely be reading the rest of this off-the-hook series!
“Oh, what the hell does that have to do with anything?” I snapped.
“Doctor, be quiet,” my lawyer whispered urgently. “Please.”
I settled back into my chair, heart racing. And for the next two hours, I watched a steady stream of videos, evidence, and testimony that made my practice look like something out of a horror movie.
Let’s face it. I looked like a fucking psycho.
September 24, 2020
Well. That book sucked. I thought the title was intriguing, and my team needed an I book, so off I went! It would have been very interesting if it was actual case files, or at least somewhat fictionalized case files. What it was instead was a Nancy Drew style coincidence machine laced with unbelievable characters, bad writing, and a plot that would have had me laughing if it was just a little worse.
There are a few 1 star books that I gleefully recommend to others, as they are so ridiculous that they are entertaining. This is not one of those books.
There are a few 1 star books that I gleefully recommend to others, as they are so ridiculous that they are entertaining. This is not one of those books.
August 16, 2024
corny and downright ridiculous but somehow I want to read more
August 17, 2019
Gosh, I cautiously perused the reddit site with the published stories thinking that these were legit composite accounts of therapy sessions. Although the title was a red flag of poor judgement/confidentiality by a licensed therapist.
Then it just got way too ridiculous and fictional. Not in the scenarios that the patients presented with — but with the “therapists” course of actions.
As fiction, I guess it could be entertaining...(although probably a misrepresentation of best practices in the field.
So titling the book “I’m a therapist, ....” was quite deceiving... and certainly is a violation of all kinds of privacy laws and ethics and common sense as a therapist plus lots of poor judgement in handling some very difficult situations (which do come up in real life) with could certainly cause this lose his ability to practice...or get him Arrested!
So maybe it was my oversight not to realize from the start that this was fiction.
And if I’m wrong about that —- and this person is really a therapist! Yikes!
Then it just got way too ridiculous and fictional. Not in the scenarios that the patients presented with — but with the “therapists” course of actions.
As fiction, I guess it could be entertaining...(although probably a misrepresentation of best practices in the field.
So titling the book “I’m a therapist, ....” was quite deceiving... and certainly is a violation of all kinds of privacy laws and ethics and common sense as a therapist plus lots of poor judgement in handling some very difficult situations (which do come up in real life) with could certainly cause this lose his ability to practice...or get him Arrested!
So maybe it was my oversight not to realize from the start that this was fiction.
And if I’m wrong about that —- and this person is really a therapist! Yikes!
February 5, 2021
Dr Harper is probably the worst therapist you could ever have. He is manipulative, unethical, gets ways to involved with his patients and is self obsessed. This even gets to the point of not questioning himself or his actions before committing some pretty serious crimes. A lot of people on here believe that this makes the book unbelievable and bad, but I think that all of this just makes the book more fun. I don’t want to read some boring Dr go through all the correct procedures, I wanna see someone go to the extent of kidnapping someone because they believe so badly that they are right. If that interests you then you should read this book, it’s only just over 100 pages and the only downside is that the writing is not the best and it seems to be a lot of telling and not so much showing. However, it is a really quick and tense read!
December 25, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. These stories are interesting (to say the least). A couple of the patients bored me.... One story about OCD was really great. A fictional, unethical therapist makes a great main character. Here's my problem with this book..in the end, the author tries to pull all the stories together, and it quite frankly didn't make much sense to me. At face value, it's fine, but when I thought about it, it made my head hurt. I know the author says the stories are in no particular order. I guess I need more than that. Was there only one Noah? What was his timeframe of being in the stories? And if the
July 18, 2024
You know… not every doctor graduates at the top of their class. I think maybe Dr. Harper went to a pass/fail university. This book is bonkers. This is a totally unhinged collection of short stories that are interconnected by… well… I’m not sure. If you’re looking for cohesion or a remotely plausible plot… move along, because you’re not going to get that here. It sure was a fun read though.
March 6, 2019
Really good!
I want more!! Had me hooked from the first page!
Must read!!!! Make sure to pick this up! Very good
I want more!! Had me hooked from the first page!
Must read!!!! Make sure to pick this up! Very good
May 30, 2019
It started out interesting, but by case 3 I was over it. It was way over the top. Not my cup of tea.
June 28, 2019
One star simply for being a quick read.
June 19, 2024
I find it very obnoxious when people present problems with obvious solutions, dismiss the solution, and continue complaining about the problem.
This was so much fun. It gets shelved as 'horror' a lot, but I'd almost consider this more of a thriller/comedy crossover. I dunno, it's a tough one to categorize but an easy one to rate. Dr. Harper's internal monologue is hilarious and the mysteries in each short story kept me super engaged. I was also relieved to see that the treatment of actual mental illness wasn't nearly as dramatized as I worried it would be based on the theme of the book. In fact, there are some really good myth-dispelling moments about some of the more ostracized mental illness sufferers, such as people with DID and BPD. I digress... this was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
✨ Representation: queer MC and side characters
✨ Content warnings for:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,367 reviews