

A single topic is addressed in each chapter, and author Irvin Yalom doesn't waste any time in getting to the point. Some references to the DSM-IV may be a little over the layperson's head, but in general the writing is clear and understandable for lay readers as well as professionals.Įach chapter is just a few pages long, a nice format for busy folks whose reading time occurs in snippets. With tips on avoiding diagnosis (except for insurance purposes), when to disclose personal information, and why it's important to leave time between patient appointments, the recommendations are aimed at therapists, but they may be useful to patients who want to know what to expect from their counselors. This is a book that will remind you why you entered the field in the first place. Speaking directly to the current generation of counselors, The Gift of Therapy lays out simple suggestions that blend personal experience with professional objectivity.
