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A review by lestradez0
Lying on the Couch by Irvin D. Yalom
5.0
Looking at the title "Lying on the couch", the word "lying" here may very well have two meanings if you have read the book.
I'm currently taking an Ethics class, in which I'm learning about ethical dilemmas. I still clearly remember the assignment given to me about statutory rape. An underage boy who engages in a sexual relationship with a 22-year-old man. In this case, I was given two options, to report or not to report. As humans, we always desire the best. However, throughout this assignment, I have learned that there is no such thing as the "best". Every decision we make is always followed by consequences, it's just a matter of choosing the lesser evil out of the evil options.
I'm intrigued by this book. Throughout the story, many questions ran through my mind. Many a time, it challenged my thought. For instance:
"Whoever said that the point of therapy is to be truthful about everything? The point, the one and only point, is to act always on the patient's behalf"
We know that honesty is one of the main components of therapy. A client is encouraged to always be honest in order to develop an appropriate solution to their issue. However, what about the therapists themselves? shouldn't therapists also be honest? To what extent a therapist should be truthful?
What strikes me the most about this book is the conversation between two psychotherapists. Part of me agrees with Paul because working with a dying patient is a high-risk profession. One has to be masochistic to keep doing it. However, Ernest also brings a good point in this book. It doesn't have to be all dark and we can get something out of it. Working with dying patients helps us in many ways. Death allows us to appreciate our lives better, to make the most out of them. It helps us to re-prioritize our goals and values.
Working with dying patients is the career path that I've chosen since I was a kid. The thought of helping them to accept their death and live happily for their remaining life brings me joy. To see that I am able to make a change in people. This is the reason why I'm pursuing this career. I know the consequences, the mental capacity needed. However, I believe it is worth pursuing because, at the end of the day, it aligns with my value, which is "helping others". For me, making money is happiness, but making other people happy is super happiness. What about you?
Overall, this book by Yalom has given me a better understanding that ethical dilemmas affect people from all walks of life and in a variety of situations. It demonstrates the importance of paying attention, being aware of our own actions as well as the actions of those around us. We will all be better off in our careers as helpers if we follow the rules and ask for help when we don't know what to do.
I'm currently taking an Ethics class, in which I'm learning about ethical dilemmas. I still clearly remember the assignment given to me about statutory rape. An underage boy who engages in a sexual relationship with a 22-year-old man. In this case, I was given two options, to report or not to report. As humans, we always desire the best. However, throughout this assignment, I have learned that there is no such thing as the "best". Every decision we make is always followed by consequences, it's just a matter of choosing the lesser evil out of the evil options.
I'm intrigued by this book. Throughout the story, many questions ran through my mind. Many a time, it challenged my thought. For instance:
"Whoever said that the point of therapy is to be truthful about everything? The point, the one and only point, is to act always on the patient's behalf"
We know that honesty is one of the main components of therapy. A client is encouraged to always be honest in order to develop an appropriate solution to their issue. However, what about the therapists themselves? shouldn't therapists also be honest? To what extent a therapist should be truthful?
What strikes me the most about this book is the conversation between two psychotherapists. Part of me agrees with Paul because working with a dying patient is a high-risk profession. One has to be masochistic to keep doing it. However, Ernest also brings a good point in this book. It doesn't have to be all dark and we can get something out of it. Working with dying patients helps us in many ways. Death allows us to appreciate our lives better, to make the most out of them. It helps us to re-prioritize our goals and values.
Working with dying patients is the career path that I've chosen since I was a kid. The thought of helping them to accept their death and live happily for their remaining life brings me joy. To see that I am able to make a change in people. This is the reason why I'm pursuing this career. I know the consequences, the mental capacity needed. However, I believe it is worth pursuing because, at the end of the day, it aligns with my value, which is "helping others". For me, making money is happiness, but making other people happy is super happiness. What about you?
Overall, this book by Yalom has given me a better understanding that ethical dilemmas affect people from all walks of life and in a variety of situations. It demonstrates the importance of paying attention, being aware of our own actions as well as the actions of those around us. We will all be better off in our careers as helpers if we follow the rules and ask for help when we don't know what to do.