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I just finished reading Crazy: Notes On and Off the Couch and can't recommend it enough. The book is available in both hardback and Kindle; I read the Kindle edition. Rob Dobrenski is a psychologist who practices in New York City and this book is his attempt to de-mystify the practice of therapy. He has a really awesome blog, Shrinktalk.net that I have been reading for some time so I was very excited to get the book.

The first reason I found it so enjoyable is that Dr.Dobrenski shares a view that my own T does and with which I very much agree, which is that of the wounded healer. His main premise is 'we're all crazy' including all the therapists. Big Grin That they are human also, and dealing with their own struggles, but that is an integral part of why therapy works. Because we're all in this together.

He has a very engaging writing style, being able to be both uproariously funny, and deeply moving. The structure of the book takes you through a typical day in the life of a shrink but manages to cover a lot of topics. It's also a rare look through the eyes of a very candid therapist. He is quite honest about his own struggles which I found really refreshing. He also provides a fascinating look at what it's like to be on both sides of the couch through the use of clinical vignettes. I really could not put it down and found myself both laughing out loud and crying while reading it. If you are at all interested in seeing therapy from a clincian's point of view, I highly recommend this book.

AG
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Hi DF,

They're usually cheaper on Kindle. A new book will go for maybe $13.99 as compared to 17 or 18 for the hardback and a vast majority of Kindle books are $9.99. I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly but I think Rob's book was $9.99. There's no difference in content, except with a Kindle although there's a cover page, it's usually opens at the table of contents, so I find when I read on Kindle I don't associate cover art with the book. But keep in mind I actually prefer reading on my Kindle to an actual book. Big Grin

AG
Awesome! Thanks AG. My H would wholeheartedly agree with the comments in the forward. He thinks all T's are crazy. I always tell him, "of course they are. They are human just like the rest of us." Smiler

ETA: Okay, I couldn't resist after reading the preview so I downloaded the Kindle version. I'm only a few pages in and that story from the T running into his client and girlfriend on the street has left me in tears from laughing so hard. Thanks for the recommendation. I am really liking it so far. Smiler
quote:
Originally posted by True North:
STRM... this is such a funny book. The chapter where he treats "Jack" had me screaming with laughter. He is so "real" in his descriptions and so honest. Yeah crazy LOL. Reminds me of the traumatologist and PhD John Briere who tells his colleagues..."we are all bozos on the same bus".

TN


I just read the "Jack" chapter and my stomach still hurts from laughing. I love this book!!
Okay just finished reading this book. First of all, it was a great read and it was definitely worth it. I love how he isn't shy about exposing his own insecurities (like having to deal with sex offenders right while he was still "green"), about his own neurosis and conflicts. It was great to read about his thoughts while helping typical clients, to be a little bit inside a T's head, and he easily combines moments of great seriousness and moments that are hilarious. Some bits of the book are already posted on his site, which I have read already, so I skipped those, and I think because of that, the book seemed short to me (or maybe it was because I enjoyed it so much I wanted to read more Smiler).

Eitherway, great buy and I totally recomend it!

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