Laura’s review of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed > Likes and Comments
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Thanks, Lisa. I'm glad you found it helpful. I know you would come at this book from a different direction than I do but I still found it interesting and insightful and think you may too.
She does discuss success rates of therapy (not particularly high) and I'm sure all of her patients aren't having the success of those in the book, but I learned so much from reading it. I love when nonfiction turns out to be a pageturner.
Thanks, Laura. I love that kind of non-fiction too and have read a lot of great non-fiction books.
Thanks for that additional information. The book does sound appealing.
You're welcome. She has a pleasant, readable style too, which often reads like fiction. I had to remind myself many times that it was true.
Laura wrote: "You're welcome. She has a pleasant, readable style too, which often reads like fiction. I had to remind myself many times that it was true."
I love that.
I also love historical and other fiction that you forget isn’t real. That seems like biography or history.
Did you? I thought about clicking in but then I didn't because I didn't see the subtitle. Maybe I should take a look....
Laura wrote: "Did you? I thought about clicking in but then I didn't because I didn't see the subtitle. Maybe I should take a look...."
It’s great!!
Terrific review. I need to read this one if you have it five stars.
Thanks, Diane. Please do! And let me know what you think!!
I don't know if I will get to it when I first can but I just put a hold on it, Laura. There is a very, very long queue, so I might as well get in it. I can always freeze the hold for a time.
Her book about anorexia is great. Very funny too if you can believe that.
Lisa wrote: "I don't know if I will get to it when I first can but I just put a hold on it, Laura. There is a very, very long queue, so I might as well get in it. I can always freeze the hold for a time."
Yes a long line everywhere it seems, and for good reason. Glad you are in it. I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa wrote: "Her book about anorexia is great. Very funny too if you can believe that."
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Not a topic that interests me. I may have two or three thousand books to read in my life and I need to save them for something that really grabs me. I also need to whittle down my existing tbr lol.
Laura wrote: " I may have two or three thousand books to read in my life and I need to save them for something that really grabs me. I also need to whittle down my existing tbr lol."
I definitely understand!!!
Convincing review, Laura. I also have been curious for a long time about what it's like to be a therapist. I imagine it's emotionally exhausting and very challenging. :|
But so rewarding when you can help someone make a breakthrough though. I considered a psych major many years ago and often regret not pursuing it.
Lisa wrote: "Laura wrote: " I may have two or three thousand books to read in my life and I need to save them for something that really grabs me. I also need to whittle down my existing tbr lol."
I definitely ..."
I guess that's the closest to a midlife crisis I've come to at this point lol. What, only 2000 books left?!
Laura wrote: "But so rewarding when you can help someone make a breakthrough though. I considered a psych major many years ago and often regret not pursuing it."
Oh, yes. For sure. When I was in college, I contemplated becoming a psychiatrist but decided I'd never be able to handle it. :|
ETA: Plus, you have to be really good in math and science (chemistry specifically, I think), and that isn't me. :[
What about a psychologist though. No need to be an MD for that. Or even a therapist with a masters in social work. So many avenues you could go.
Laura wrote: "What about a psychologist though. No need to be an MD for that. Or even a therapist with a masters in social work. So many avenues you could go."
True, but I was always interested in the really serious psychiatric issues, like schizophrenia and psychosis, not talk therapy. Those serious illnesses are beyond the scope of psychology.
Laura, You do need statistics for a doctorate or masters level degree in clinical psychology. Maybe not for social work though.
I’m not a math person but I did like beginning statistics in the psych dept. I am not sure how I would have done with advanced statistics though.
Caroline wrote: "True, but I was always interested in the really serious psychiatric issues, like schizophrenia and psychosis, not talk therapy. Those serious illnesses are beyond the scope of psychology."
Caroline, most people with those major mental illnesses have a psychiatrist for medication only and then they have a therapist for talk therapy, case management, etc. So if you were interested in prescribing medicine and not doing too much else except to see how people did on it then psychiatry would be the right field but if you did want to do more personal work with people then some psychiatrists do that still but not as many as used to.
Lisa wrote: "So if you were interested in prescribing medicine and not doing too much else except to see how people did on it . . . "
Yes. That's more like what I was interested in doing.
Caroline wrote: "Yes. That's more like what I was interested in doing."
Well then that does require a lot of math and science and eight grueling years of education on top of it.
In my city there was a great program back in the 70s but they never got fully certified called the doctor of mental health program DMH and it was to train people to basically be psychologists but those who could also prescribe medication. They didn’t have to go through medical school or residency; it was more of a PhD program but it included sufficient education for them to act as psychiatrists when it came to prescribing medication and doing all psychiatrists could do. I knew a few people who went through the program back then in the 1970s and 1980s but unfortunately they never got fully certified so they can practice as psychologists only. But it was a great idea. And it sounds as though it was something that you might’ve liked. You have to learn a little math for the medication prescribing part. I had to do that for my psych tech license and it’s not that hard to do you don’t have to be good at math to do it. But you didn’t have to learn the kind of math and science or put in the hours you have to do to go through medical school and a specialty I knew a few people who went through the program back then in the 1970s and 1980s but unfortunately they never got fully certified so they can practice as psychologist only. But it was a great idea. And it sounds as though it was something that you might’ve liked. You have to learn a little math for the medication prescribing part. I had to do that for my psych tech license and it’s not that hard to do you don’t have to be good at math to do it. But you didn’t have to learn the kind of math and science you have to do to go through medical school and a specialty. It was a 4 year program.
Lisa wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Yes. That's more like what I was interested in doing."
Well then that does require a lot of math and science and eight grueling years of education on top of it.
In my city there ..."
Wow. That does sound like a great program! Too bad it's gone. :[
Caroline wrote: "Wow. That does sound like a great program! Too bad it's gone. :[ ."
It was and it is too bad. There are still DMH people around but they are licenses "only" as psychologists. I think it was a great idea and that it could have worked. It was at Mt. Zion Hospital now part of UCSF. It was perfect for people with interests such as yours. I think many people. It could have been successful. I don't know exactly why it folded but assume it had something to do with protest from medical doctors. Too bad!
Lisa wrote: "Laura, You do need statistics for a doctorate or masters level degree in clinical psychology. Maybe not for social work though.
I’m not a math person but I did like beginning statistics in the ps..."
I loved statistics, but didn't need to go beyond intro course. I actually thought about changing to actuarial science, I loved stats so much, but I don't think I could do calculus. My math skills don't reach that far.
Anyway, I was thinking that it must be really fulfilling to be able to help someone out of psychological quicksand. The kind of fulfillment that goes beyond most kinds of career satisfaction.
Laura wrote: "I loved statistics, but didn't need to go beyond intro course. I actually thought about changing to actuarial science, I loved stats so much, but I don't think I could do calculus. My math skills don't reach that far.
Anyway, I was thinking that it must be really fulfilling to be able to help someone out of psychological quicksand. The kind of fulfillment that goes beyond most kinds of career satisfaction.."
Laura, you need some math for your education/job.
It could be a gratifying job in that sense, yes.
Yes, the challenge for me would be my empath side, I wouldn't want to fall into the quicksand while trying to help someone else out of it!
But yeah this book had me thinking about so many things. I love books like that.
Training helps with that but it’s far from perfect. Books that make us think are often great.
I've always thought that one of the hardest parts of being a psychologist/talk therapist would be remaining neutral/objective/non-judgmental. For me personally, I also would really struggle with internalizing patients' problems. I get hit hard and have trouble putting depressing and disturbing things behind me. This is why I think it'd be emotionally draining. It really takes a special personality to do the job.
Yes, agreed. I really don't know how they do it. Particularly since the election. I'm sure many of them have been overrun ever since. But it would be difficult in any case, I think.
Laura wrote: "Yes, agreed. I really don't know how they do it. Particularly since the election. I'm sure many of them have been overrun ever since. But it would be difficult in any case, I think."
I'm sure! And also, what about the ones who have to listen to people talk about political arguments they've gotten into with family and friends? What if it's a Trump supporter talking about this? You have to keep your mouth shut and listen and offer non-judgmental input. It's got to be so hard.
Omg that would be so hard. I was so depressed for so long after that election, I don't think I could have been that person then. I'd have had to fire patients lol. (Only reason I'm not still deeply depressed is I'm holding onto hope that the nightmare may soon end.)
Liquor stores are probably doing a booming business since the election too ha.
Laura wrote: "Omg that would be so hard. I was so depressed for so long after that election, I don't think I could have been that person then. I'd have had to fire patients lol."
I really don't know how they do it, Laura. I wonder if since Trump was elected more have left the profession than normal.
When I worked with children when I was in my 20s it was too hard for me not to get too involved. Of course that was as an undergraduate but I think training can do only so much and if I’d gone into the field at all it would’ve probably been as a school psychologist and that would’ve been hard enough as it is. I still think about some of those kids and I still get upset on their behalf. And yes you have to listen to people talk about things you with which you might completely disagree. I don’t think they believe anymore that you have to remain 100% a blank slate or neutral but you have to pretty much be a non-judge mental presence yes
I think clients usually know a lot about therapists even if they don’t reveal anything. I think things just come across. So I would think any Trump supporters out there would know that their therapists disagree with them and most of them would because therapists do tend to be liberal. That’s a generalization of course but it is the truth. Not all of them obviously. And it probably depends on where in the country and of course what backgrounds they have too, but it tends to be a profession that certain people choose. Not Trump types!
I pretty much found out my therapist and I agreed after the election and if we didn't, I would've had to change therapists. That would be my question going in, that the person couldn't possibly understand me at this time if they supported him. Too much of my anxiety and depression was wrapped into it. Not something I'd have ever even thought I would have to do prior to 11/9/16. But now, can't imagine not doing it. Maybe I'm unusual in that respect tho bc that election did a number on me.
Laura, You’re typical, not unusual.
And talk about mass trauma. Sometimes that what that election result feels like.
Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀
Laura wrote: "Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀"
Every time I think it’s the last time he will shock me. But then airplanes way back... amusing if not terrifying.
When he's out of office......my eternal hope is he finally pays for his crimes. And we need to change the guideline about sitting presidents not being able to be brought to justice because if anyone should not be above the law, it is that person.
I agree. And we need him out of office no later January 2021.
Lisa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀"
Every time I think it’s the last time he will shock me. But then airplanes way back... amu..."
Oh, that was a horrible error. Broken teleprompter my ass! How about using your brain?!
Laura wrote: " . . . if we didn't, I would've had to change therapists."
I don't blame you one bit.
Caroline wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀"
Every time I think it’s the last time he will shock me. But then airplanes wa..."
Like many brainwashed by Faux, it seems to have been removed.
What has been removed? Evidence of what he said about the airplanes? I’m sure that’s still out there in various places. (Sorry if I missed something. I’m on the phone and rushed.)
I hate paying any professionals or companies if they supported/support Trump. I try hard to avoid doing that.
Amen, Lisa, we have to vote with our dollars. It's the only thing people like this understand.
What was removed - his brain. That's assuming it was ever there in the first place.
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Thanks, Lisa. I'm glad you found it helpful. I know you would come at this book from a different direction than I do but I still found it interesting and insightful and think you may too. She does discuss success rates of therapy (not particularly high) and I'm sure all of her patients aren't having the success of those in the book, but I learned so much from reading it. I love when nonfiction turns out to be a pageturner.
Thanks, Laura. I love that kind of non-fiction too and have read a lot of great non-fiction books. Thanks for that additional information. The book does sound appealing.
You're welcome. She has a pleasant, readable style too, which often reads like fiction. I had to remind myself many times that it was true.
Laura wrote: "You're welcome. She has a pleasant, readable style too, which often reads like fiction. I had to remind myself many times that it was true."I love that.
I also love historical and other fiction that you forget isn’t real. That seems like biography or history.
Did you? I thought about clicking in but then I didn't because I didn't see the subtitle. Maybe I should take a look....
Laura wrote: "Did you? I thought about clicking in but then I didn't because I didn't see the subtitle. Maybe I should take a look...."It’s great!!
Terrific review. I need to read this one if you have it five stars.
Thanks, Diane. Please do! And let me know what you think!!
I don't know if I will get to it when I first can but I just put a hold on it, Laura. There is a very, very long queue, so I might as well get in it. I can always freeze the hold for a time.
Her book about anorexia is great. Very funny too if you can believe that.
Lisa wrote: "I don't know if I will get to it when I first can but I just put a hold on it, Laura. There is a very, very long queue, so I might as well get in it. I can always freeze the hold for a time."Yes a long line everywhere it seems, and for good reason. Glad you are in it. I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa wrote: "Her book about anorexia is great. Very funny too if you can believe that."I'm glad you enjoyed it. Not a topic that interests me. I may have two or three thousand books to read in my life and I need to save them for something that really grabs me. I also need to whittle down my existing tbr lol.
Laura wrote: " I may have two or three thousand books to read in my life and I need to save them for something that really grabs me. I also need to whittle down my existing tbr lol."I definitely understand!!!
Convincing review, Laura. I also have been curious for a long time about what it's like to be a therapist. I imagine it's emotionally exhausting and very challenging. :|
But so rewarding when you can help someone make a breakthrough though. I considered a psych major many years ago and often regret not pursuing it.
Lisa wrote: "Laura wrote: " I may have two or three thousand books to read in my life and I need to save them for something that really grabs me. I also need to whittle down my existing tbr lol."I definitely ..."
I guess that's the closest to a midlife crisis I've come to at this point lol. What, only 2000 books left?!
Laura wrote: "But so rewarding when you can help someone make a breakthrough though. I considered a psych major many years ago and often regret not pursuing it."Oh, yes. For sure. When I was in college, I contemplated becoming a psychiatrist but decided I'd never be able to handle it. :|
ETA: Plus, you have to be really good in math and science (chemistry specifically, I think), and that isn't me. :[
What about a psychologist though. No need to be an MD for that. Or even a therapist with a masters in social work. So many avenues you could go.
Laura wrote: "What about a psychologist though. No need to be an MD for that. Or even a therapist with a masters in social work. So many avenues you could go."True, but I was always interested in the really serious psychiatric issues, like schizophrenia and psychosis, not talk therapy. Those serious illnesses are beyond the scope of psychology.
Laura, You do need statistics for a doctorate or masters level degree in clinical psychology. Maybe not for social work though. I’m not a math person but I did like beginning statistics in the psych dept. I am not sure how I would have done with advanced statistics though.
Caroline wrote: "True, but I was always interested in the really serious psychiatric issues, like schizophrenia and psychosis, not talk therapy. Those serious illnesses are beyond the scope of psychology."Caroline, most people with those major mental illnesses have a psychiatrist for medication only and then they have a therapist for talk therapy, case management, etc. So if you were interested in prescribing medicine and not doing too much else except to see how people did on it then psychiatry would be the right field but if you did want to do more personal work with people then some psychiatrists do that still but not as many as used to.
Lisa wrote: "So if you were interested in prescribing medicine and not doing too much else except to see how people did on it . . . "Yes. That's more like what I was interested in doing.
Caroline wrote: "Yes. That's more like what I was interested in doing."Well then that does require a lot of math and science and eight grueling years of education on top of it.
In my city there was a great program back in the 70s but they never got fully certified called the doctor of mental health program DMH and it was to train people to basically be psychologists but those who could also prescribe medication. They didn’t have to go through medical school or residency; it was more of a PhD program but it included sufficient education for them to act as psychiatrists when it came to prescribing medication and doing all psychiatrists could do. I knew a few people who went through the program back then in the 1970s and 1980s but unfortunately they never got fully certified so they can practice as psychologists only. But it was a great idea. And it sounds as though it was something that you might’ve liked. You have to learn a little math for the medication prescribing part. I had to do that for my psych tech license and it’s not that hard to do you don’t have to be good at math to do it. But you didn’t have to learn the kind of math and science or put in the hours you have to do to go through medical school and a specialty I knew a few people who went through the program back then in the 1970s and 1980s but unfortunately they never got fully certified so they can practice as psychologist only. But it was a great idea. And it sounds as though it was something that you might’ve liked. You have to learn a little math for the medication prescribing part. I had to do that for my psych tech license and it’s not that hard to do you don’t have to be good at math to do it. But you didn’t have to learn the kind of math and science you have to do to go through medical school and a specialty. It was a 4 year program.
Lisa wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Yes. That's more like what I was interested in doing."Well then that does require a lot of math and science and eight grueling years of education on top of it.
In my city there ..."
Wow. That does sound like a great program! Too bad it's gone. :[
Caroline wrote: "Wow. That does sound like a great program! Too bad it's gone. :[ ."It was and it is too bad. There are still DMH people around but they are licenses "only" as psychologists. I think it was a great idea and that it could have worked. It was at Mt. Zion Hospital now part of UCSF. It was perfect for people with interests such as yours. I think many people. It could have been successful. I don't know exactly why it folded but assume it had something to do with protest from medical doctors. Too bad!
Lisa wrote: "Laura, You do need statistics for a doctorate or masters level degree in clinical psychology. Maybe not for social work though. I’m not a math person but I did like beginning statistics in the ps..."
I loved statistics, but didn't need to go beyond intro course. I actually thought about changing to actuarial science, I loved stats so much, but I don't think I could do calculus. My math skills don't reach that far.
Anyway, I was thinking that it must be really fulfilling to be able to help someone out of psychological quicksand. The kind of fulfillment that goes beyond most kinds of career satisfaction.
Laura wrote: "I loved statistics, but didn't need to go beyond intro course. I actually thought about changing to actuarial science, I loved stats so much, but I don't think I could do calculus. My math skills don't reach that far.Anyway, I was thinking that it must be really fulfilling to be able to help someone out of psychological quicksand. The kind of fulfillment that goes beyond most kinds of career satisfaction.."
Laura, you need some math for your education/job.
It could be a gratifying job in that sense, yes.
Yes, the challenge for me would be my empath side, I wouldn't want to fall into the quicksand while trying to help someone else out of it! But yeah this book had me thinking about so many things. I love books like that.
Training helps with that but it’s far from perfect. Books that make us think are often great.
I've always thought that one of the hardest parts of being a psychologist/talk therapist would be remaining neutral/objective/non-judgmental. For me personally, I also would really struggle with internalizing patients' problems. I get hit hard and have trouble putting depressing and disturbing things behind me. This is why I think it'd be emotionally draining. It really takes a special personality to do the job.
Yes, agreed. I really don't know how they do it. Particularly since the election. I'm sure many of them have been overrun ever since. But it would be difficult in any case, I think.
Laura wrote: "Yes, agreed. I really don't know how they do it. Particularly since the election. I'm sure many of them have been overrun ever since. But it would be difficult in any case, I think."I'm sure! And also, what about the ones who have to listen to people talk about political arguments they've gotten into with family and friends? What if it's a Trump supporter talking about this? You have to keep your mouth shut and listen and offer non-judgmental input. It's got to be so hard.
Omg that would be so hard. I was so depressed for so long after that election, I don't think I could have been that person then. I'd have had to fire patients lol. (Only reason I'm not still deeply depressed is I'm holding onto hope that the nightmare may soon end.)Liquor stores are probably doing a booming business since the election too ha.
Laura wrote: "Omg that would be so hard. I was so depressed for so long after that election, I don't think I could have been that person then. I'd have had to fire patients lol."I really don't know how they do it, Laura. I wonder if since Trump was elected more have left the profession than normal.
When I worked with children when I was in my 20s it was too hard for me not to get too involved. Of course that was as an undergraduate but I think training can do only so much and if I’d gone into the field at all it would’ve probably been as a school psychologist and that would’ve been hard enough as it is. I still think about some of those kids and I still get upset on their behalf. And yes you have to listen to people talk about things you with which you might completely disagree. I don’t think they believe anymore that you have to remain 100% a blank slate or neutral but you have to pretty much be a non-judge mental presence yes I think clients usually know a lot about therapists even if they don’t reveal anything. I think things just come across. So I would think any Trump supporters out there would know that their therapists disagree with them and most of them would because therapists do tend to be liberal. That’s a generalization of course but it is the truth. Not all of them obviously. And it probably depends on where in the country and of course what backgrounds they have too, but it tends to be a profession that certain people choose. Not Trump types!
I pretty much found out my therapist and I agreed after the election and if we didn't, I would've had to change therapists. That would be my question going in, that the person couldn't possibly understand me at this time if they supported him. Too much of my anxiety and depression was wrapped into it. Not something I'd have ever even thought I would have to do prior to 11/9/16. But now, can't imagine not doing it. Maybe I'm unusual in that respect tho bc that election did a number on me.
Laura, You’re typical, not unusual. And talk about mass trauma. Sometimes that what that election result feels like.
Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀
Laura wrote: "Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀"Every time I think it’s the last time he will shock me. But then airplanes way back... amusing if not terrifying.
When he's out of office......my eternal hope is he finally pays for his crimes. And we need to change the guideline about sitting presidents not being able to be brought to justice because if anyone should not be above the law, it is that person.
I agree. And we need him out of office no later January 2021.
Lisa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀"Every time I think it’s the last time he will shock me. But then airplanes way back... amu..."
Oh, that was a horrible error. Broken teleprompter my ass! How about using your brain?!
Laura wrote: " . . . if we didn't, I would've had to change therapists."I don't blame you one bit.
Caroline wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Yes. And every headline since (or most) ... feels like PTSD. It's cray cray, as they say 😀"Every time I think it’s the last time he will shock me. But then airplanes wa..."
Like many brainwashed by Faux, it seems to have been removed.
What has been removed? Evidence of what he said about the airplanes? I’m sure that’s still out there in various places. (Sorry if I missed something. I’m on the phone and rushed.)I hate paying any professionals or companies if they supported/support Trump. I try hard to avoid doing that.
Amen, Lisa, we have to vote with our dollars. It's the only thing people like this understand. What was removed - his brain. That's assuming it was ever there in the first place.
Not for me right now but at some point.
But I have 2 close friends who are therapists, and I knew them prior so saw their whole process, except they had therapy before training which I think partly led them to training, and several acquaintances besides, plus I've gotten tastes of training as an undergrad and in another school program. I do like these kinds of memoirs, or I did, and what you've said does make me want to try it.
I will say that when writing books (or even personally remembering) therapists tend to related with and share cases of successful vs. their unsuccessful patients. The only time therapist could have only patients who make progress is if they get "easy patients" and even then it's not likely. That said I've loved other books like this.
I do plan to read it at some point.