Insightful, inspiring and even enjoyable.

If you could sum up On Being a Therapist in three words, what would they be?

I found this audio book to be totally insightful and felt inspired by it. It unveils the therapists perspective and creates a real picture of what Being a therapist is like.

What did you like best about this story?

I like his candid style. The book gives an insight into the joys and struggles of being a therapist. As a student, I learn all about the client experience but don't really gain an understanding of the other side. So this book has been a real gift.

What does Rob Shapiro bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I love Rob's mellow tone and the clarity of his voice.

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3 people found this helpful

On Being A Therapist

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.

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2 people found this helpful

Down to earth.

This book was just what I was looking for. Now I have a more clear picture of this profession (Psychotherapy)

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the 'conscience of the profession'

Jeffrey Kottler, is correctly named as the 'conscience of the profession.' He artful detects and expounds from his own practice the secrets and privileges of the profession.

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Fantastic learning for trainee counsellors

An incredibly honest and thoughtful analysis of modern counselling. Impressive advice on the challenges counsellors face.

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Analysing that...

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.

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15 people found this helpful

A must have!

If you want to be a therapist, this book should be in the obligatory curriculum. Kottler is totally skinned in his description of what a therapist experiences, thinks, and feels. By listening to this book, I learned a lot about myself, and the profession I am about to enter.

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6 people found this helpful

A good read, not too demanding

I loved the open exploration of therapeutic work. I found it refreshing in its honesty of the multiple contradictions we therapists encompass on a daily basis

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Fantastic

This is a brilliant book, which has many insights into the world of a therapist.

It's incredibly well written, and I'd recommend it to any aspiring counsellor.

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Great reading for both the journeyman

and the more experienced therapist, as well as for budding therapists. Highly recommended, I've listened to it annually.

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3 people found this helpful