The Love Bug and Other Tales of Psychotherapy

By Dan W. Briddell and E.J. Koh

In more than 25 years of private practice, Dr. Dan Briddell has worked with patients from all walks of life, with problems that range from everyday to extraordinary. With great empathy, humor, and a sometimes unorthodox approach, he connects with with his patients, earns their trust, and guides them through the dramatic process of self-discovery and healing. Among the stories in this intimate, inspiring collection are an articulate teenage boy who thought of himself as "the most disgusting person in the world"-and had the filth, body odor, and dark secret to match; a 70-year-old woman who compulsively washed her hands and everything else in sight; a 29-year-old marketing executive who couldn't stop a tide of disturbing and terrifying thoughts, and others. A book about the soul and the heart as much as the mind and "the couch," this is a deeply human, empowering, and hopeful book for our disconnected, troubled times.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312242492
• ISBN13: 9780312242497
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Inside map of the human heart

I am a family therapist. The Love Bug offers a rare and compelling window into the relationship that exists between a therapist and his patient. Each of the ten true cases illustrate Dr. Briddell's efforts to nudge his patients into the process of resolving their personal crisis. A crisis is the turning point at which things will either get better or worse. It is possible to have a crisis which does not result in change; many people go through the full compliment of life's crises without adding anything new to their repertoire, without learning a damned thing new. Dr. Briddell, like the rest of the world's family therapists, does not have foolproof techniques nor magic. Instead, he is a friendly consultant, a sane, successful, well-adjusted, intelligent expert on problem-solving, an optimistic and amused observer of the human comedy. The Love Bug is a beautifully written story with a full cast of sinners, sufferers, and opportunists. Each story maps a human heart. Each story is exquisite as an individual piece; the book is compelling as a whole.

Simply Amazing!!!

You have to read this book! You will be amazed at the unbelievalbe stories of patients who traveled to the edge of human tragedy and madness and were brought back by this funny, sensitive practioner.After reading this...I know there's hope for me yet! A must read!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I AM A TEACHER AND THOUGHT I'D SEEN AND HEARD IT ALL, BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG. THIS BOOK OPENED MY EYES AND GAVE ME HOPE FOR THE MANY TROUBLED LIVES THAT ENTER MY CLASSROOM. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE. I JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!! SUPER READ!!!

Awesome book!

I give this book 5 stars, a two thumbs up, and a ten! I'm tempted to ditch my therapist and move to Virginia Beach just to go to Dr. Bridell. I've never written a review before, but I had to for this one. This book is incredible! I'm going to buy a copy for everyone in my family! Man, you thought YOU had problems!

a good read for lay and informed readers

WOW! What a great book! Unique psychological tales... Dr. Briddell's compassionate narrative, filled with awareness and sensitivity had me in tears one moment and laughing the next. Fascinated, I found myself compelled to continue as each client worked through their problems. The author always comes across empathetic, accepting, and never never condescending. Read this book, you won't be able to put it down.