The Gift OF Therapy

Irvin Yalom come into my sphere when I was doing a Wikipedia dive into philosophical thought and existentialism.  I have dipped into some of his heavier, clinical tomes but this book has been the one that I’ve found most engaging.

In this book, Yalom shares his extensive experience and knowledge about the art of psychotherapy. He provides insights into the therapeutic process, including the importance of building a trusting relationship with clients and the power of empathetic listening.  I especially enjoy Yalom’s reflections on the use of self-disclosure and humour in therapy.

Yalom presents a humanistic and existential approach to therapy that focuses on helping clients to find meaning and purpose in their lives, rather than just treating symptoms. He stresses the importance of addressing clients' concerns in the present moment, while also exploring how their past experiences and relationships may be influencing their current difficulties.

Throughout the book, Yalom shares numerous case examples and anecdotes from his own clinical practice to illustrate his points. He also offers practical advice and tips for therapists, such as how to handle difficult or resistant clients, and how to maintain boundaries while still being fully present with clients.

For me, "The Gift of Therapy" is just a wonderful reflection on how Yalom is as a person – and what he brings of that to the process of “helping” others.  It’s something I often revisit in my work; how do I bring my emotions, my training, my humour, my queerness to this situation and make it helpful for the other person.

Favourite Quote:

“We humans appear to be meaning-seeking creatures who have had the misfortune of being thrown into a world devoid of intrinsic meaning. One of our major tasks is to invent a meaning sturdy enough to support a life and to perform the tricky maneuver of denying our personal authorship of this meaning. Thus we conclude instead that it was "out there" waiting for us. Our ongoing search for substantial meaning systems often throws us into crises of meaning.”

Irvin D. Yalom