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Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories of Hope and Healing [Hardcover]

Mary Pipher (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Most people find talking to God more satisfying than talking to Freud," says Pipher, whether they believe in God or not. For fans of the bestselling Reviving Ophelia, such perfectly pitched, patient-centered observations will seem familiar and most welcome; for first-timers, Pipher invites readers: "Make some peach tea and find a cat for your lap. Let's visit." Even the most cynical psych snob will find that visit-a series of seasonally themed letters to a fictional graduate student describing psychotherapy from the inside out-refreshing, informative and insightful. In the brief time it takes to read this slim volume, the rhythms of blather and breakthrough, resistance and revelation come through clearly. Pipher also talks readers into becoming their own therapists, and good ones at that; her epistolary persona is one of a sympathetic woman but not a fuzzy emotional thinker. She admits "All families are a little crazy, but that's because all humans are a little crazy" and "Some therapy is just plain plodding," but she also includes many anecdotes that illuminate how a well-crafted metaphor, moment of quiet or carefully timed suggestion can change a life forever. Her view of therapists as storytellers is borne out in direct, engaging prose and succinct observation. To take just one example, Pipher notes that women see apologizing as saying, "I am sorry I hurt your feelings or caused you pain." Men see it as "I am eating shit." That's Mars and Venus in two sentences, and there's plenty more. The well-known perils of the profession emerge freshly, but also its profound rewards.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A wise and compassionate book." -- Washington Post Book World --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Basic Books (July 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0465057667
  • ISBN-13: 978-0465057665
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #348,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Author

Mary Pipher
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Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories of Hope and Healing
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Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
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4.8 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, July 28, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardcover)
Like JB Pontalis's WINDOWS (with which this book makes an interesting comparison in cultural styles), LETTERS TO A YOUNG THERAPIST is an engaging and lucid look at one clinical psychologist's beliefs, both idiosyncratic and professional. More mature than self-help, less obscure than psychological theory, this one-day-read is ennobling and charming. Pipher writes with dignity about her profession's limitations and how an awareness of those limitations opens up vital possibilities. The format -- brief letters to a therapst-in-training, focused on a specific theme -- is lovely, and the insights, while not revelatory, are deftly articulated. In fact, that the book's insights are not revelatory is in a way its overall theme, and its pleasure. This is a humble, humane, and helpful book.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book, September 15, 2003
By Talk2 (OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardcover)
As a grad student in a counseling program, I picked up this book after hearing a portion of Ms. Pipher's interview with Diane Reams on NPR. I read this book in two evenings. It has a lot of good advice, not just for therapists, but also for clients. She has a very soft, nurturing way of writing which I found delightful. I would highly recommend this book.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A poetic look at the art of healing., August 16, 2003
This review is from: Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardcover)
In her magical new book, "Letters to a Young Therapist," Mary Pipher uses enchanting and lyrical prose to express her feelings not only about therapy, but also about such topics as nature, marriage, ethics, and happiness. This book is a compilation of letters that Pipher wrote to a graduate student in psychology. Pipher's letters are filled with gentle humor and a profound understanding of human nature.

Since Pipher began her career as a therapist in 1972, she has learned a great deal about her clients and herself, and this book is the fruit of all that she has learned. She emphasizes that therapy is more of an art than a science, and that therapists bear an enormous responsibility to treat their clients with great care.

Pipher's ideas are a breath of fresh air in a society that is quick to bash easy targets. For instance, it is fashionable for people to blame their parents and other family members for their problems, but Pipher believes that individuals must ultimately take responsibility for their own choices in life. She also believes that the family unit is so important that we should do everything in our power to support and strengthen it rather than undermine it.

Pipher waxes poetic when she speaks of the power of metaphor and storytelling to enhance people's lives and imbue their experiences with greater meaning. Pipher is not only a gifted therapist. She is also a talented writer who understands the power of language to change lives. I recommend this book highly for its warmth, wisdom, compassion, and insight into what makes life worth living.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Mary Pipher Does It Again!
"Letters To A Young Therapist" was an amazing and enlightening book. I learned so much about the art of therapy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Vivian M. Jackson

5.0 out of 5 stars Great author and book.
Mary Pipher is an incredible psychologist and author. She is articulate in her writing and very empathetic and encouraging to young therapist. Read more
Published 9 months ago by L. Miller

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for any counselor or therapist in training.
This book is simply amazing. I am studying for my California certification in drug counseling and this book speaks to me. I'm already on my second reading. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Matthew Brennan

3.0 out of 5 stars Unlike the other reviews....
My review is a little unlike the others; it is not glowing with praise. Just reading this book today after reading all of the rave reviews it received. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Natalie Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Letters
Reading this book was like getting life advice from your personal therapist. Mary Pipher doesn't only explain what it takes to become a great therapist but she also shares the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lilac Lily

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book for a young doctor!
Bought this for our daughter-in-law as she finally earned her degree in Psychology and it offered helpful advice after all the long hours of studying to get her degree.
Published 21 months ago by Sheldon Oberholtzer

5.0 out of 5 stars Pearls of Wisdom
If you are a therapist in training or maybe even a seasoned veteran, this book offers thought-provoking tidbits and interesting stories. Read more
Published on January 12, 2008 by PsychGradStudent

5.0 out of 5 stars Letters to a Young Therapist
This book was an excellent resource for me during my mental health internship. The author really knows her stuff.
Published on January 1, 2008 by Sara Camden

5.0 out of 5 stars Connecting to new therapists
In the field of mental health there are so many research-based, self-help, anectdotal, and other types of books to assist therapists in improving their skills. Read more
Published on July 29, 2007 by Connie M. Brooks

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing- Everyone effected by mental health should read!
Mary Pipher again shows her ability (gift) to combine artful writing with important information and a bright ray of hope. The writing style is casual. Read more
Published on March 12, 2007 by Carolee Noury

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