Every Day Gets a Little Closer: A Twice-Told Therapy

Rating:
Summary: an inside, personal look on therapy
Review: After reading 2 other books by Dr. Yalom ("Love's executioner.." & "Momma..." I came to "Every day gets a little closer". I'm glad I read the other two books first, because they make a better introduction to the writer / psychiatrist's work. "Every day gets a little closer" is a much more "closed" book, meaning that it takes some time & patience to get through it.

What it is the account of Ginny Elkin's (pseudonym) therapy, written from the point of view of both Dr. Yalom, & Ginny. It is often striking how these 2 points of view can be so different! & yet, while reading this book, you get a definite sense of the therapeutic relationship developing, of the existing & growing feelings between doctor & patient.

The down side is that the book is definitely slow, although very rewarding at times. But then, the therapeutic process itself is slow. What I found really interesting was the afterword by Dr. Yalom which describes the process & the methods he used while treating Ginny. It put a new light on the whole book, which at times seemed chaotic.

All in all, definitely give this book a go if you're interested in the therapy relationship, in the magic & slow change that occurs in the therapist's office. But don't expect a quick & easy read, because you'll be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: an inside, personal look on therapy
Review: After reading 2 other books by Dr. Yalom ("Love's executioner.." & "Momma..." I came to "Every day gets a little closer". I'm glad I read the other two books first, because they make a better introduction to the writer / psychiatrist's work. "Every day gets a little closer" is a much more "closed" book, meaning that it takes some time & patience to get through it.

What it is the account of Ginny Elkin's (pseudonym) therapy, written from the point of view of both Dr. Yalom, & Ginny. It is often striking how these 2 points of view can be so different! & yet, while reading this book, you get a definite sense of the therapeutic relationship developing, of the existing & growing feelings between doctor & patient.

The down side is that the book is definitely slow, although very rewarding at times. But then, the therapeutic process itself is slow. What I found really interesting was the afterword by Dr. Yalom which describes the process & the methods he used while treating Ginny. It put a new light on the whole book, which at times seemed chaotic.

All in all, definitely give this book a go if you're interested in the therapy relationship, in the magic & slow change that occurs in the therapist's office. But don't expect a quick & easy read, because you'll be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Step by step towards self-esteem
Review: This book and others written by Yalom changed my life.I would suggest reading it to every person (especially young women)having self-esteem problems.I find Yalom extremely intelligent,warm hearted,subtle.He uses simple language to deal with the deepest topics. By the way,I'm rather envious of Ginny Elkin, because I would have liked to have the same experience of therapy.

Rating:
Summary: not the best yalom has to offer...
Review: this was his book i was most excited to read, and while i think the concept is great, i don't think it really worked. the accounts were often long-winded and dull, and when there were little gems within that made it worth wading through, they were often hidden amidst pages of muck. i still think the idea behind the book is strong and could work, however, and i admire yalom for trying, but at the same time i wonder if it's not somewhat unethical to reveal so much to a patient about the therapist's feelings, and also to give her free therapy in exchange for writing for him - like, is it a conflict of interest on his part, and therefore countertherapeutic? also, the book doesn't really say if she got better in the long-term. i'm not so sure... still glad i read the book, but didn't honestly feel i got too much out of it. many of his other books are head and shoulders above this one...

Rating:
Summary: not the best yalom has to offer...
Review: this was his book i was most excited to read, and while i think the concept is great, i don't think it really worked. the accounts were often long-winded and dull, and when there were little gems within that made it worth wading through, they were often hidden amidst pages of muck. i still think the idea behind the book is strong and could work, however, and i admire yalom for trying, but at the same time i wonder if it's not somewhat unethical to reveal so much to a patient about the therapist's feelings, and also to give her free therapy in exchange for writing for him - like, is it a conflict of interest on his part, and therefore countertherapeutic? also, the book doesn't really say if she got better in the long-term. i'm not so sure... still glad i read the book, but didn't honestly feel i got too much out of it. many of his other books are head and shoulders above this one...