Rating: 
Summary: Creative Tips for Therapy
Review: The Gift of Therapy is more than an engaging well writen book of creative tips for therapy procedures. It is an empathetic guide to your own idiosyncrasies and the people you meet everyday.
Rating:
Summary: The Gift of Therapy
Review: The Gift of Therapy
by Irvin Yalom, M.D.
Reviewed by Suzanne M. Retzinger, Ph.D. Waiting for my brother to complete his three-hour dialysis, I browsed the bookshelf provided for the waiting. I came across Love's Executioner and read it for the first time. I had read Yalom's Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy text in grad school - like all requirements. Now he grabbed me by the shoulders and forced me to listen - inspired, I had to read more and found The Gift of Therapy (2003, Perennial edition; 263 pages $12.95). Yalom is the first, of many that I've read on the therapeutic relationship, who doesn't "talk" about the therapeutic relationship - but "shows" it - a path for the bold to venture, a real connection between therapist and patient. My interest in his work lies in his openness about his own feelings and how he uses them therapeutically. Nothing, he says, "takes precedence over care and maintenance of my relationship to the patient,... and how we regard each other." Most patients come to therapy starving for intimacy, their conflicts being precisely in this area - and it is the therapeutic relationship, itself, that creates change. For this reason, the "blank screen" model is far from what Yalom sees as effective patient therapist relationship; he sees therapist opaqueness as counterproductive. Because of the alienated nature of many clients' lives, the here and now space between therapist and patient is what matters. It's about the space that we create with our clients and how we use that space - "the betweenness". Yalom spells out 3 levels of therapist transparency that can be productive or not, asking of each, "is this disclosure in the best interest of the client?". Standardization, he believes, renders therapy less effective, threatening therapist spontaneity. Therapy is a journey - and in Yalom's view the therapist and client are "fellow travelers". Whatever relationship there is, we build together with our clients. Be "prepared to go wherever the patient goes" - The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose (Walt Whitman - Song of the Open Road). The relationship is key - I know - I've heard this from the beginning: in school, supervision, exam study courses, yatta, yatta, yatta. But at the same time I hear "don't get too close", or "reveal anything about yourself", "god forbid you touch a client" - a double message - the unspoken message: hold your nose, close your eyes, use a 10-foot pole. In my first career - research - I learned to jump in with all I have - open my eyes, my ears and each and every sense, throw away that pole. Yalom breathes life into therapy by attending to the inbetweens, the emotions that arise in this space and discussion of this process with the patient. Western culture is awash in alienation; therapy is a process that can renew intimacy for those who choose this path. It is a "dress rehearsal for life", says Yalom. Affect and analysis are altering sequences, microcosms of our patients' lives that must be examined for lasting change to occur. Feelings, thoughts, words along with their analysis are not taboo; they are the stuff of intimacy. We must not confuse intimacy with sex, Yalom says. Sex is always inappropriate with clients, intimacy is not. Yalom expresses his concern with the direction the mental health field has taken. With the growing alienation in our world, people are becoming less important. Even in our profession we see fewer sessions provided by HMO's, medication in place of human contact, focus on technique, fear of intimacy because of lawsuits. In this age of pharmaceuticals, HMOs, and lawsuits, is the relationship being lost? This book (as well as his others) is a wakeup call, a reminder for us all - the experienced as well and the novice - that we are in the business of healing relationships and not to loose them in the shuffle. Since that first day at the dialysis center where I found Love's Executioner, I've read much of what Yalom has written. It's not only the brilliance of what he writes that draws me in, but the way he writes that touches me. His books are "serious, down to earth, and pulse with levity and life".
Yalom's book The Gift of Therapy is a gift to therapists past, present, and future. Like Yalom, we need to `show' and not `tell' our clients the road to connectedness. My hope is that this, and other works like this, will not be lost in a world so desperately in need of human connection.
Rating:
Summary: The Gift of Therapy
Review: The Gift of Therapy
by Irvin Yalom, M.D.
Reviewed by Suzanne M. Retzinger, Ph.D. Waiting for my brother to complete his three-hour dialysis, I browsed the bookshelf provided for the waiting. I came across Love's Executioner and read it for the first time. I had read Yalom's Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy text in grad school - like all requirements. Now he grabbed me by the shoulders and forced me to listen - inspired, I had to read more and found The Gift of Therapy (2003, Perennial edition; 263 pages $12.95). Yalom is the first, of many that I've read on the therapeutic relationship, who doesn't "talk" about the therapeutic relationship - but "shows" it - a path for the bold to venture, a real connection between therapist and patient. My interest in his work lies in his openness about his own feelings and how he uses them therapeutically. Nothing, he says, "takes precedence over care and maintenance of my relationship to the patient,... and how we regard each other." Most patients come to therapy starving for intimacy, their conflicts being precisely in this area - and it is the therapeutic relationship, itself, that creates change. For this reason, the "blank screen" model is far from what Yalom sees as effective patient therapist relationship; he sees therapist opaqueness as counterproductive. Because of the alienated nature of many clients' lives, the here and now space between therapist and patient is what matters. It's about the space that we create with our clients and how we use that space - "the betweenness". Yalom spells out 3 levels of therapist transparency that can be productive or not, asking of each, "is this disclosure in the best interest of the client?". Standardization, he believes, renders therapy less effective, threatening therapist spontaneity. Therapy is a journey - and in Yalom's view the therapist and client are "fellow travelers". Whatever relationship there is, we build together with our clients. Be "prepared to go wherever the patient goes" - The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose (Walt Whitman - Song of the Open Road). The relationship is key - I know - I've heard this from the beginning: in school, supervision, exam study courses, yatta, yatta, yatta. But at the same time I hear "don't get too close", or "reveal anything about yourself", "god forbid you touch a client" - a double message - the unspoken message: hold your nose, close your eyes, use a 10-foot pole. In my first career - research - I learned to jump in with all I have - open my eyes, my ears and each and every sense, throw away that pole. Yalom breathes life into therapy by attending to the inbetweens, the emotions that arise in this space and discussion of this process with the patient. Western culture is awash in alienation; therapy is a process that can renew intimacy for those who choose this path. It is a "dress rehearsal for life", says Yalom. Affect and analysis are altering sequences, microcosms of our patients' lives that must be examined for lasting change to occur. Feelings, thoughts, words along with their analysis are not taboo; they are the stuff of intimacy. We must not confuse intimacy with sex, Yalom says. Sex is always inappropriate with clients, intimacy is not. Yalom expresses his concern with the direction the mental health field has taken. With the growing alienation in our world, people are becoming less important. Even in our profession we see fewer sessions provided by HMO's, medication in place of human contact, focus on technique, fear of intimacy because of lawsuits. In this age of pharmaceuticals, HMOs, and lawsuits, is the relationship being lost? This book (as well as his others) is a wakeup call, a reminder for us all - the experienced as well and the novice - that we are in the business of healing relationships and not to loose them in the shuffle. Since that first day at the dialysis center where I found Love's Executioner, I've read much of what Yalom has written. It's not only the brilliance of what he writes that draws me in, but the way he writes that touches me. His books are "serious, down to earth, and pulse with levity and life".
Yalom's book The Gift of Therapy is a gift to therapists past, present, and future. Like Yalom, we need to 'show' and not 'tell' our clients the road to connectedness. My hope is that this, and other works like this, will not be lost in a world so desperately in need of human connection.
Rating:
Summary: Real answers to real questions in clinical social work
Review: This book gives the most honest, real, ethical and human answers to some of the most common questions young therapists ask (and seasoned ones, too, I have been told!) With a beautiful framework and combination of Gestalt and Person-Centered therapy styles, Yalom clearly and concisely addresses issues like: When your client weeps, occupational hazards, answering questions your client asks, taking patients further than you have gone, acknowledging your errors, discussing death with clients, taking notes in session, and giving yourself time between appointments, etc., etc. The short chapters make it a realistic read for the very busy college student or therapist - to read in entirety or to read selectively on issues that are important for them. I felt so much relief reading this book - specific answers and assurances about day-to-day occurances in the field (counseling, psychotherapy or clinical social work). I love all the examples he gives, and the range of ethical and appropriate solutions to the issues . . . his lack of personal bias. This book is well worth the time and money - at least three times over!
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing reminder of transference, art of therapy
Review: This book was a refreshing reminder to me about transference and the art of therapy. One learns about transference in school and encounters transference in therapy, but it still feels reassuring to hear in such simple terms from an expert like Yalom how crucial it is to interpret the "here and now" relationship. This book was a pleasure to read and one that I wanted to savor each chapter!
Rating:
Summary: A Perfect Reminder
Review: This is a great book for therapists of all persuasions, as well as for their clients. It brings back the humane and philosophically insightful themes so lacking in our environment of quick fixes and "managed care." It is lucidly written and deserves to be at the top of every thoughtful therapist's list of "great reads."
Rating: 
Summary: Pearls of Therapeutic Wisdom
Review: This is a wonderful collection of short chapters, or at times paragraphs, of tips for therapists gathered from a long and illustrious career of an intelligent and thoughtful psychiatrist.
At times, one wonders if these aren't just common sense; why write about them? But if you're familiar with the sad state of American psychotherapy and its erosion by the modern label-em-and-packege-em health care system along with the frighteningly narcissistic and selfish crop of therapists being turned out, then you'll understand why Yalom's 'Open Letter' is in great need. Freudian psychology and all its subjective claptrap are certainly dead artifacts of the past century, but the compassionate rules of what WORKS in therapy have been captured by Yalom. He's done this before three decades ago in a heavier work called, "Existential Psychotherapy". Yalom deals mainly with the here-and-now, with the full compassion ('with'-'suffering') of another person in helping them find their own path. And as Thomas Paine said "...for what path could be better?"
Yalom brings smart humanity and humbleness to the art of therapy. His little stories are quite enjoyable even if you are not interested in the technique of therapy. His "Open Letter" could've easily been addressed to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: a book of tips
Review: This is the latest book by Irvin Yalom, whose books I've been following over the years. From the very first page of the introduction, Yalom's writing is gripping & right to the point. He mentions turning 70 years old, which has made him feel a need to "pass on" his knowledge & some of his experience to younger generations of therapists & patients. This is what he tries to do in this substantial book, a book of tips, long on technique & short on theory (as Yalom himself says). Each "tip" that Yalom gives comes from years of experience & in most cases, makes perfect sense. Something that should be noted is that his book is not written, I think, for the non-psychologically trained reader. It's aimed towards psychotherapists, & tries to steer them in the direction of good choices & good therapeutic work with clients / patients. Most tips may seem like common sense to most psychologists / psychotherapists, but if you think a little bit more about them, most of them are not used as often as they should be. Also, apart from the more obvious tips, Yalom offers a whole range of extremely innovative (& maybe some times controversial) pieces of advice. These chapters alone are, in my opinion, well worth the price of the book, since they make you sit down & think. All in all, a great reference book for psychotherapists which comes alive through wonderful, clear writing, & lots of lively clinical examples.
Rating:
Summary: a book of tips
Review: This is the latest book by Irvin Yalom, whose books I've been following over the years. From the very first page of the introduction, Yalom's writing is gripping & right to the point. He mentions turning 70 years old, which has made him feel a need to "pass on" his knowledge & some of his experience to younger generations of therapists & patients. This is what he tries to do in this substantial book, a book of tips, long on technique & short on theory (as Yalom himself says). Each "tip" that Yalom gives comes from years of experience & in most cases, makes perfect sense. Something that should be noted is that his book is not written, I think, for the non-psychologically trained reader. It's aimed towards psychotherapists, & tries to steer them in the direction of good choices & good therapeutic work with clients / patients. Most tips may seem like common sense to most psychologists / psychotherapists, but if you think a little bit more about them, most of them are not used as often as they should be. Also, apart from the more obvious tips, Yalom offers a whole range of extremely innovative (& maybe some times controversial) pieces of advice. These chapters alone are, in my opinion, well worth the price of the book, since they make you sit down & think. All in all, a great reference book for psychotherapists which comes alive through wonderful, clear writing, & lots of lively clinical examples.
Rating:
Summary: Validated, inspired, challenged and entertained
Review: Twenty years ago when I read Irvin Yalom's Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, I knew that I wanted to be a psychotherapist. These 20 years later, reading The Gift of Therapy, I am reminded that I made an excellent choice. Irv Yalom's "open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients" speaks to three essential aspects of myself: the psychotherapist, the human being, and the writer. As a psychotherapist I am validated for thinking outside the traditional boxes and challenged to keep learning with every client I see. Yalom offers everything from specific suggested questions to ask clients to the wisdom of his experience such as "therapy should not be theory-driven, but relationship-driven," and "though the physicality of death destroys us, the idea of death can save us." As a human being I am reminded that there is seldom --- if ever --- only one valid explanation for how we become who we are. And I am enlightened by Yalom's reminder of Paul Tilich's list of four "ultimate concerns" --- death, isolation, meaning, and freedom. As a writer I am thoroughly entertained by how Yalom puts a sentence together. For instance, speaking of the importance of dream interpretation in therapy, he writes, "Pillage and loot the dream, take out of it whatever seems valuable, and don't fret about the discarded shell." Most of all, as I close my now well-worn, underlined and dog-eared copy of Irv Yalom's new book, I am inspired by the man and the psychotherapist who has been, and remains, a hero of mine. (I suppose Irv would consider that literary transference.) Bottomline: great book for therapists and non-therapists alike.
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