Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb (432 pages)
“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” Is A Story of A Therapist Who Seeks Therapy
Just as you should visit a doctor when you’re not feeling physically well, seeing someone when your mental health is suffering is just as necessary. Thankfully, in our self-care culture, the stigma around therapy is slowly fading…Just in time for Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, And Our Lives Revealed.
Written by Los Angeles-based psychotherapist and New York Times best-selling author Lori Gottlieb, it’s the story of a therapist who seeks therapy after experiencing a breakup that causes her world to come crashing down.
Interwoven in her story is that of four of her patients: John, the self-absorbed Hollywood producer; Julie, a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness; Charlotte, a 25-year-old with anxiety and depression who can’t stop hooking up with the wrong guys; and Rita, a senior citizen threatening to end her life on her birthday if nothing gets better.
Interesting Characters
I found it interesting to read about the process of therapy through the eyes of a therapist; because while she knows the terms and strategies, she can’t seem to apply them to her own life to get through a crisis. And so, while it’s her job to help others understand the self that they are, her journey takes her to the office of Wendell, a quirky but seasoned therapist.
As we travel along with each character’s journey, which we hope will lead them back to themselves, lessons are learned and tears are shed. As Gottlieb shares when we finally learn the heartbreaking reason why John treats people the way he does, the simplicity is enough to break your heart, “I assure him he’s not breaking down, he’s breaking open.”
Gottlieb reminds us that “life has a 100% mortality rate”, and if we’re not careful, we could miss all the good stuff along the way.
The Bottom Line: 4/5 Brookie Stars
Definitely a unique perspective, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a great reminder that it’s okay to seek help. The most important thing in life, aside from love, is connection. It might not make everything perfect, but it’s a great reminder that we don’t have to weather life’s storms alone.
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Andrea Querido is a 40-ish book-loving, introverted word nerd who’s passionate about connection, self-care, personal growth, creating community and, of course, books!
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Favourite brunch spot: Anywhere I don’t have to cook.
