Customer Reviews

Tales from a Traveling Couch: Psychotherapist Revisits His Most Memorable Patients

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't judge the level of writing, or the logic behind some of the author's judgements of causal relationships, to be first-rate, but the experiences of the author and his patients were very valuable and revealing.
I think that all artists, and all people who are connected to the mental health profession in any way (as doctors or patients) should make this book the next book they read--most especially for the perspective it lends, but also for the knowledge, entertainment, and hope.
People not fitting these categories will undoubtedly find the book very thought-provoking and entertaining as well, and I recommend it--though less insistently.

Although this book reads like a novel, it contains the real-life stories of the journeys of five of Robert's most memorable patients. Starting with the work that began within the walls of the therapy room, each chapter takes a peek into how the lives of the individual patients have progressed in the space and time beyond the sessions. On so many levels, this book illustrates how the real effects of therapy transcend quantifiable in-session measures, and have an immeasurably profound influence on the rest of the patient's life. These stories speak for themselves and illustrate that the therapy is indeed healing when life after therapy can truly be a life.

I have done therapy myself for many years and I really enjoyed reading Akeret's book. Before I knew it, I had finished the book, wishing for more. When I first went into this line of work, my supervisor said to me that people are funnier than a barrel full of monkeys. People never cease to amaze me. Seeing the tremendous variation in personalities and getting a look at what made them the way they are leads to one becoming much more tolerant of others and also much more tolerant of one's own idiosyncracies. But first and foremost this book was very entertaining without being fantasy. (I'm the type who doesn't like fantasy because I just keep saying to myself "oh, c'mon!") A man falling in love with a polar bear? but he explained how it could happen. And people who think thoughts can kill - Mary in the book. Read the book. You'll be glad you did.

I read this book for a class on psychotherapy. Each chapter describes the treatment of a particular patient, Akaret's feelings about the patient, and a description of the visit to the patient Akaret made 20 or 30 years later. It was entertaining, but if desired it can inspire deep thought on the part of the reader. Akaret struggles with the definitions of "normal" or "abnormal" that he is encouraged to apply to his patients, and this reminds all of us that there is no real "normal"; it is all relative. It is particularily interesting to note that though Akaret starts writing the book to see if he actually made a difference in his patients' lives, at the end of his journey he is still not sure. That is exactly why this book is such an interesting read. Akaret really shows us there is no definition of a normal person just like there is no true measure of successful therapy. He has many insights into psychotherapy, making this a worthwhile read for therapists, patients, and interested bystanders alike.

I found myself recently telling somebody about a particular story from this book--which I read years ago when it first came out. The "polar bear" story has stuck with me for YEARS...so revealing about how our environment as children shapes our psycology! (All the stories in this book are for GREAT for party conversation!)...I just went back into therapy, and decided to pick it up again to read--and I forgot how intriguing each story was! This book not only follows up on the "endings" of his patients...it's also kind of a travel-questlike tale. A quick, easy read, but NOT lacking in content whatsoever!

What an astonishing collection of stories! All the more so for being true, as the author revisits several of his former patients to learn whether or not he helped them. This in itself would be reason enough to read this volume; but the unique personalities & problems of his patients also make for compelling reading. I especially like the fact that even after the conclusion of his journey, the author still has questions about what's truly "normal" in our society, which in turn should make the reader consider those questions as well. Particularly fascinating to me were the stories of Naomi/Isabella & Seth, two young people who rose like phoenixes from their deeply troubled lives to reinvent themselves. Their stories alone ought to reassure the author that he indeed did good, and more than good, for the wounded souls who sought his help. A superb addition to the annals of therapist who write about their patients & illuminate the inner Universe. Highly recommended!

...A most entertaining read for all psychologists/therapists. I thoroughly enjoyed Akeret's experiences and ability to share them in a cohesive, humorous flow. I think it speaks to everyone of us who have wondered if therapy with our patients is effective, and highlighting that even when therapy is effective, a patient may experience it totally differently than we do. I've given away several copies to other practitioners and professors.

I am not a therapist nor am I studying to become one. Regardless, I loved this book. It is a fascinating account of human nature. The author sets out on an adventure to meet up with a handful of his previous patients. Thirty years have passed since he has counseled them and his quest is to find out, not only how they turned out, but if they truly did benefit from his therapy.

The author does not *really* find out the answer to that latter question. It is impossible to know whether they would have turned out the same without his therapy. However, the adventure is still a compelling one. When hearing each person's story of how they entered into therapy, even I was dying to know how they turned out. You will be, as well.

I enjoyed the first story, about Naomi, the most. Akeret is an excellent writer...he draws you into his adventure completely. I can imagine that this book would attract many readers who are in the field of psychology/psychotherapy. I am fairly certain that every therapist has at least one patient who they would like an update on years later. However, such follow-up, I believe, is frowned upon in the field. Akeret throws caution to the wind and indulges himself. In turn, he indulges the reader.

I give this book 5 stars. It is more interesting than many works of fiction that I have read.

I don't know much about psychotherapy - this was an interesting way to learn about it. The stories are fascinating, well-written, and Akeret provides very meaningful, humanistic commentary.

My professor for Abnormal Psychology assigned this book for class. Once I started reading it, I could not stop. I found the cases in there inspiring and intriguing to say the least. I'm so glad Akeret took the time to write down his memories. I liked hearing about how he interacted with the patients and learned what made him a good psychologist, what made his patients come back to him.