’Maybe you should talk to someone’ by Lori Gottlieb

If you, like me, have held yourself back from following your true passion, I strongly recommend curling up with a cuppa and this insightful work from Lori Gottlieb.

In her book, Lori - a renowned psychotherapist and bestselling author, reminds us that none of us is immune from the messiness of being ‘human’ …and that goes for therapists as much as anyone. In fact, this book was the catalyst I needed to finally start my practice.

Nobody’s Perfect - Thankfully!

For me, this book came at the perfect time. I was in a job that I loved, but I was also wondering and thinking about what my future would look like.

I had always loved the idea of training as a therapist but I kept pulling myself back from taking the first steps. Of the many doubts I had, the most pervading was the idea that I was too messed up to be a good therapist; who was I to support others when I had my own personal struggles?

Reading Lori Gottlieb’s book, talking about her own experience of being a therapist and being in therapy was life-changing for me. Even though I had my own things to work through and deal with, I felt, for the first time, that I could still be a good therapist. I didn’t need to be perfect.

Navigating the Human Condition

This realisation was such a critical part of taking the next step to pursuing my passion for helping others. As therapists, we are also human beings going through our own processes of healing and growing and changing - and that’s as it should be.

We don’t have perfect lives, but we do have the tools to support you—drawn from years of clinical learning, a passion for what we do, and our understanding of it means to be human.

We offer empathy and can hold you in your hardest times, give you space to explore your emotions, and help you understand the patterns that keep you stuck and help identify where they come from.

As therapists, we can challenge you to see a new perspective, with the understanding of just how hard it can be to escape your own ‘shadow’ and move towards the light.

New Beginnings … from an Old Book

My copy of this book is well-worn; the corners of its pages are dog-eared and folded over, the spine has deep, long creases from being folded back on itself, and the pages are yellowed with age (and the occasional tea stain!) …but I love it that way. It was given to me by a colleague who also trained to become a therapist, and whom I admire immensely.

In turn, I have recommended this book to many others, and I have lent my copy out many times, but I am always thankful when it returns home - for another read:).

Time to Break Down Some Barriers?

If you feel stuck in your own patterns or feel you aren't 'perfect' enough to move forward, let’s talk.