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A review by paris_nicole
Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery by Catherine Gildiner
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
In this book, a retired therapist recounts five of her most memorable clients. She refers to them as "heroes" throughout, because of their resilience after extreme abuse/neglect. They all come to her as adults and she uses a psychodynamic approach to process their disturbing childhoods.
As a therapist myself, I was intrigued by her techniques and approach. I am not psychodynamic and do not treat severe trauma, but learned some things that I will take with me into my own practice. I especially appreciate how she was candid with her countertransferance and mistakes along the way. She exhibited patience and restraint during her years long relationships with each client.
Regarding the individual stories, they are quite disturbing. Trigger warnings for child neglect, traumatic separation from parents, child emotional abuse and childhood sexual assault/violence.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I think fellow therapists will appreciate it, but it can be enjoyed by non-therapists as well. The stories will definitely stick with me for a long time.
As a therapist myself, I was intrigued by her techniques and approach. I am not psychodynamic and do not treat severe trauma, but learned some things that I will take with me into my own practice. I especially appreciate how she was candid with her countertransferance and mistakes along the way. She exhibited patience and restraint during her years long relationships with each client.
Regarding the individual stories, they are quite disturbing. Trigger warnings for child neglect, traumatic separation from parents, child emotional abuse and childhood sexual assault/violence.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I think fellow therapists will appreciate it, but it can be enjoyed by non-therapists as well. The stories will definitely stick with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt