Customer Reviews

The Heart of Psychotherapy: The Most Honest, Revealing, Fascinating Account of What Goes On In Therapy

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Although the subtitle of this book is "A Journey into the Mind and Office of the Therapist at Work," it is essentially about the practice of the author, George Weinberg. Moreover, I feel that Weinberg often asserts that his own ideas, opinions, and practices are universal, or at the very least should be. My own experiences as a client in therapy have differed somewhat from what Weinberg presents as hard and fast rules that all therapists should follow, and I feel that these differences are often what has made my therapy successful.

Furthermore, I feel that the author has not yet overcome some of his own issues, and that these are expressed very clearly in the book. One of these is Weinberg's apparent attitude that he is much better off than his clients (and anyone else's too) and that, therefore, the patients deserve his pity. He speaks of his adult clients as if they were children or adults who sadly failed to grow up. To be fair, there are some passages in the book where the author demonstrates a true tenderness and compassion for his clients, but I feel that the attitude of pity is pervasive. Another example of his unresolved issues is that some of the "rules" that Weinberg suggests therapists adopt seem to be more about creating and maintaining some control over the patient and his or her actions both in and out of session. Does it really jeapordize the work done in therapy if a client discusses a revelation with a trusted friend? I believe that Weinberg's idea that patients should agree to strict confidentiality out of session is too broad-sweeping and indicative of the therapists worry over being found wrong. Finally, the book is full of sexist language. The author uses the "generic he" through out the book. Conversely, when citing an example provided by a colleague who happens to be female, he always begins the anecdote with some version of the following, "For example, a woman therapist..." As a professional woman myself, I find this quite insensitive. For me, it throws Weinberg's whole credibility into question.

I do have to say that the book has some good points and wonderful insights; it made for lively discussions with my therapist about her practice and our relationship. However, I ultimately found the book nearly unbearable.

The first parts of the book cover such practical details as "Clothing", "The Telephone", and "Record Keeping". Next comes Diagnosis, Motivation (the patient's), The Therapist-Patient Relationship (focusing heavily on transference and countertransference), and The Tools of Treatment ("Listening", "Asking Questions", "Interpretation", etc.).

It's encouraging to see Weinberg's acknowledgement of "The Therapist's Personality". (Ever met a therapist who wouldn't admit to having one?)

You may find it refreshing or you may find it disagreeable, but Weinberg is one therapist-author who does not hesitate in the slightest to state his own shoulds and should-nots. He acknowledges that they're his ("I think...", "...in my opinion"), and that's what this book is made of. He does some surveying of common therapeutic practice, but eventually states his own conclusions about how therapists should behave. For instance: "An adult on his way from tennis should not have to go all the way home to change if the therapist's office is near the courts. A shower ought to be enough, in my opinion" (p. 28). Once Weinberg gets past clothing and telephones and into things like interpretation, advice-giving, and listening, we're on more typical ground for books about therapy. Still Weinberg presents his ways of doing things. Agree or disagree; this might be an interesting book to provoke discussion among therapists-in-training. Or to provoke thought among therapy patients -- whose own therapists might or might not agree with Weinberg's assertions. The book is most useful in those places where Weinberg includes his rationale with his choices.

This little book, written a long time ago (84?) is one you should read when you start out, and then read after you've read 100 books. On the first reading it will all seem so simple. Then you'll get lost. When you come back to it, you'll wonder how he could make such a complicated subject so simple, but he does. I think you have to get a firm grasp on the fundamentals -- to the point where they are bedrock innate -- before you can (if ever you can) take off on your own as a helper, and Weinberg is pretty clear about the fundamentals. I wonder if anyone really practices therapy this way any more.

I read Dr. Weinbeg's book along with his "Self Creation" book. I actually misread his books and titles, called him up and was his patient for nearly three silly years.

During the course of treatment I had a unique once in a lifetime flood of dreams. Many were detailed to Dr. Weinberg. He knew nothing about the meanngs at all. All I got was his feel-good silly techniques designed to solve porblems like stopping smoking.

Fortunately I left his therapy which was when my therapy began.

He is a very good writer, none of which has much to do with real psychology. The entertainment value of his books is good. The useful value is a big zero. As entertainment high marks. As a tool for growth, change or self awareness a BIG ZERO. This is from one who knows from personal experience how hollow and silly are his ideas and techniques.

This is a great study. I am enjoying the book and sharing insights gleaned with those of like minds.