The Gift of Therapy [Paperback]

Irvin Yalom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2003

THE GIFT OF THERAPY is the culmination of master psychiatrist Dr Irvin Yalom's thirty-five years' work as a therapist, illustrating through real case studies how patients and therapists alike can get the most out of therapy. Presented as eighty-five 'tips' for 'beginner therapists', Yalom shares his own fresh approach and the insights he has gained while treating his patients. Personal, and sometimes provocative, Yalom makes some unorthodox suggestions, including: Let the patient matter to you; Acknowledge your errors; Create a new therapy for each patient; Make home visits; (Almost) never make decisions for a patient; and Freud was not always wrong. This is an entertaining, informative and insightful read for both beginners and more experienced therapists, patients, students and everyone with an interest in the subject.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Yalom writes with the narrative wit of O. Henry and the earthy humour of Isaac Bashevis Singer' San Francisco Chronicle

About the Author

Dr Yalom is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Stanford University. He has won two major awards from the American Psychiatric Association. He continues to run his clinical practice and lectures widely.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Piatkus Paperback (February 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749923733
• ISBN-13: 978-0749923730
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 7.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Same as "Open Letter to a New Generation...", July 15, 2006

By 

David H. Peterzell "Ph.D., Ph.D." (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gift of Therapy (Paperback)

I believe that this is the same as Yalom's "The Gift of Therapy: Open Letter to a New Generation of Psychotherapists." Am I mistaken? The cover and sub-title are different, but the content is the same, yes? The "open letter" is a wonderful book. See my review and others under that title.

At any rate... Consider ordering Yalom's DVD "The Gift of Therapy." It is a one hour interview with Yalom that supplements the material in the book. The "Open Letter" book also clarifies themes that show up in Yalom's novels.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable as well as informative, February 22, 2011

By 

David Austin "Author, Delivered Unto Lions" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gift of Therapy (Paperback)

This is a book borne of experience rather than theory. What Irvin D Yalom does here is offer counselors and psychotherapists the benefit of his own discoveries about what works. While he does make occasional reference to various schools of thought (e.g. neo-Freudian) it is clear that his interest is in getting "alongside" people rather than in analyzing or diagnosing them. Indeed, he cautions against diagnoses and advises therapists to view those who seek their help as "fellow travelers" (rather than as afflicted clients).

Not being a therapist myself, I am not able to comment from that particular perspective, but it seems to me that what Yalom is writing about is the kind of pastoral care that, in the past, many people may have sought from their priests, ministers or rabbis. It is interesting that Yalom dislikes the term "client" (which suggests a business relationship), preferring instead to use the term "patient" (which seems rather more clinical)--but "parishioner" might almost be a more fitting expression (though, presumably, there cannot be too great a "flock" of "parishioners" at any one time!). I make this comment because Yalom appears, essentially, to be urging therapists to act as secular clergy, supporting and empathizing with individuals and, on occasions, giving them direction.

Given his relational/pastoral emphasis, it is unsurprising that he is dismissive of particular fixed approaches to therapy. He is certainly critical of the Person-Centered Approach pioneered by Carl Rogers, but he reserves some of his most scathing remarks for formulaic "evidence-based therapies" such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

The Gift of Therapy is actually an enjoyable as well as informative read, precisely because it stresses relationship with the human subject rather than adherence to a method.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He never disappoints, April 6, 2009

By 

kaza (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gift of Therapy (Paperback)

Great fun to read can pick it up and put it down in short bursts ideal for coffee breaks, picking kids up from school. Brilliant humour, at last an honest therapist!