Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori GottliebMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review of “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb:
One of the things I appreciated about this book was Gottlieb’s sense of humor. She has a great knack for finding the absurdity in even the most difficult situations. One of my favorite examples of this is when she describes her first therapy session with a new therapist, who tells her that his approach is “eclectic” because he uses whatever techniques he thinks will be most helpful. Gottlieb’s internal monologue in response to this is hilarious: “Eclectic? That’s like saying you’re a chef who cooks food. Who isn’t eclectic? If a therapist told me he had a very narrow range of techniques, I’d be worried.”
While there are many poignant moments in this book, one that stood out to me was when Gottlieb describes working with a terminally ill patient named Julie. Julie is in her 40s and has been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer; her story is heart-wrenching. Gottlieb writes about the challenging but rewarding work of helping Julie come to terms with her mortality and find meaning in the time she has left. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and human connection in the face of suffering.
“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” is a profoundly relevant book for our time, as more and more people seek therapy and destigmatize mental health struggles. But it’s also applicable broadly, as it speaks to the universal human experience of navigating difficult emotions and relationships. Whether you’re a therapist, a patient, or someone trying to make sense of your life, this book has something to offer. Gottlieb’s insights into the human psyche are both profound and accessible, and her writing is engaging and empathetic. It is highly recommended.
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