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On Being a Therapist

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On Being a Therapist

By: Jeffrey A. Kottler
Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
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About this listen

An updated revision of Jeffrey Kottler's classic book On Being a Therapist reveals the new realities and inner experiences of therapeutic practice today.

©2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (P)2012 Tantor Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Inspiring
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as a trainee therapist I found this book helpful for my personal development and greater understanding.

insightful

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I really enjoyed this book. Being a psychotherapist myself, so much of the authors perspective resonated with me and it often felt like having an extended conversation with my own supervisor, where I can feel free to discuss my conflicted feelings, struggles and moments of real satisfaction in helping my clients move forward. There’s no escaping the huge expectation placed on therapists to be the ultimate change agents with an never ending capacity to connect with whoever walks through the door, regardless of their life story. We do the best we can & its a huge privilege to be part of the healing process.

On Being A Therapist

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What did you like most about On Being a Therapist?

A fascinating insight into the world of the talking therapies. The author makes a good case for therapy while at the same time exposing its foibles, inadequacies and is always shining a bright light on the sheer fogginess of the profession. The author isn't afraid to discuss his doubt and whether he knows what he is doing at all. As he says, imagine how you'd feel if a surgeon expressed the same doubt prior to carrying out you heart bypass.

What was one of the most memorable moments of On Being a Therapist?

I was moved by the author's efforts to start a charity in Nepal to help children who would otherwise be sold into the sex trade. Showing that while therapy has a place in trying to "cure" individual ills, other actions are required to repair societal problems.

Which character – as performed by Rob Shapiro – was your favourite?

A whole host of therapists (good, bad and ugly) make up the considerably tome of anecdotal research.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you can afford it, it may or not be good to talk...

Any additional comments?

A enjoyable listen, but I was slightly disappointed by the North-America centric survey. It could have been weighted by more referencing to British and European therapists and thinkers. Freud of course is mentioned but there is no place for Lacan. Also, given that the author describes the job of a therapists as a "practical philosophy" it's a shame he never referred to some of the heavyweight thinkers whose writing and thinking gave birth to the pyschoanalitic movement in the first place.

Analysing that...

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I’m contemplating both going into therapy and becoming a therapist, and have found this book with the authors refreshing honesty very helpful in quashing any nerves I may have had in taking both routes. Therapy on both sides of the equation is not for cowards, and I do both not because I have the answers but I’m encouraged to go on a quest of enlightenment and fulfillment in the insights an intimate curious relationship my bring to he existential reality of my loved experience.

Good work guys 👏🏾👍🏾

Unvarnished Truth

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heavy but interesting read!!! loved it all very addictive listening. I'm a teacher and found it insightful.

absolutely brilliant

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