Tales from a Traveling Couch: Psychotherapist Revisits His Most Memorable Patients

by Robert U. Akeret

Book Overview

After thirty-five years in practice, prominent New York psychotherapist and author Robert Akeret found himself in the thrall of a single question: Did therapy make a real difference in his patients' lives? So on a sunny morning in April Dr. Akeret got into his van and set off to visit his most memorable former patients--a journey "in search of story endings."

And what remarkable stories they are. For example: Naomi, an abused young Jewish...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393314987
• ISBN13: 9780393314984
• Release Date: November 1996
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Life after therapy

Although this book reads like a novel, it contains the real-life stories of the journeys of five of Robert's most memorable patients. Starting with the work that began within the walls of the therapy room, each chapter takes a peek into how the lives of the individual patients have progressed in the space and time beyond the sessions. On so many levels, this book illustrates how the real effects of therapy transcend quantifiable in-session measures, and have an immeasurably profound influence on the rest of the patient's life. These stories speak for themselves and illustrate that the therapy is indeed healing when life after therapy can truly be a life.

Great fun

I have done therapy myself for many years and I really enjoyed reading Akeret's book. Before I knew it, I had finished the book, wishing for more. When I first went into this line of work, my supervisor said to me that people are funnier than a barrel full of monkeys. People never cease to amaze me. Seeing the tremendous variation in personalities and getting a look at what made them the way they are leads to one becoming much more tolerant of others and also much more tolerant of one's own idiosyncracies. But first and foremost this book was very entertaining without being fantasy. (I'm the type who doesn't like fantasy because I just keep saying to myself "oh, c'mon!") A man falling in love with a polar bear? but he explained how it could happen. And people who think thoughts can kill - Mary in the book. Read the book. You'll be glad you did.

The infinite dimensions of the human soul

What an astonishing collection of stories! All the more so for being true, as the author revisits several of his former patients to learn whether or not he helped them. This in itself would be reason enough to read this volume; but the unique personalities & problems of his patients also make for compelling reading. I especially like the fact that even after the conclusion of his journey, the author still has questions about what's truly "normal" in our society, which in turn should make the reader consider those questions as well. Particularly fascinating to me were the stories of Naomi/Isabella & Seth, two young people who rose like phoenixes from their deeply troubled lives to reinvent themselves. Their stories alone ought to reassure the author that he indeed did good, and more than good, for the wounded souls who sought his help. A superb addition to the annals of therapist who write about their patients & illuminate the inner Universe. Highly recommended!

thought provoking

I read this book for a class on psychotherapy. Each chapter describes the treatment of a particular patient, Akaret's feelings about the patient, and a description of the visit to the patient Akaret made 20 or 30 years later. It was entertaining, but if desired it can inspire deep thought on the part of the reader. Akaret struggles with the definitions of "normal" or "abnormal" that he is encouraged to apply to his patients, and this reminds all of us that there is no real "normal"; it is all relative. It is particularily interesting to note that though Akaret starts writing the book to see if he actually made a difference in his patients' lives, at the end of his journey he is still not sure. That is exactly why this book is such an interesting read. Akaret really shows us there is no definition of a normal person just like there is no true measure of successful therapy. He has many insights into psychotherapy, making this a worthwhile read for therapists, patients, and interested bystanders alike.

Most entertaining

...A most entertaining read for all psychologists/therapists. I thoroughly enjoyed Akeret's experiences and ability to share them in a cohesive, humorous flow. I think it speaks to everyone of us who have wondered if therapy with our patients is effective, and highlighting that even when therapy is effective, a patient may experience it totally differently than we do. I've given away several copies to other practitioners and professors.