Book Report #221 Maybe You Should Talk To Someone

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb

This is the true story of therapist Lori who has a practice in LA. She has a unique story of how she became a later in life therapist where she first was a writer in Hollywood on popular shows, and then went to medical school. But the most interesting thing about her is how willing she is to bare her soul in this book, and not bullshit her readers or herself. As she relates her time with her own therapist, her courage in vulnerability is stunning.

We become immersed in the lives of some of her clients-- Charlotte, Julie, Rita, and John. It feels like if we met them in real life, we'd instantly be frustrated with them (actually, not Julie). Their behavior can be so annoying, and they're dead wrong in how they see things. But that's not how Lori interacts with them. She gives them space without judgment. She can be still through their nonsense and slowly pick out what's bothering them, and then discover how she can be a mirror so they can recognize what they need to on their own and do their inner work.

This is also the case for how her own therapist helps her. She has to accept that he will see through her to her core, and will have to suffer through the embarrassment that comes with that kind of nakedness to get to the other side.

The intimacy that comes from this kind of work between therapist and patient is wonderfully touching. Lori's explanations of how therapy works and the theories behind it gave me clarity I'd been looking for.

Lori is a gifted writer, so the story read beautifully, and moves with elegance and grace. There was so much that she covered but it felt like I could have sat with her for eons and been riveted. I felt like I was growing right along with her and her patients.

General consensus: If you only read one book this year, make it this one.