Girl on the Couch: Life, Love, and Confessions of a Normal Neurotic

Girl On The Couch roused my curiosity because these days I meet more people with life coaches than people with therapists. Do people still go into therapy? And does it work? The answer seems to be "yes" and "yes." This is the kind of book that could easily become sloppy and self-pitying. The author could come across as self-obsessed and egotistical. We could have gotten Too Much Information. Instead this book reads rather like a novel. The author describes her experience in a straightforward, spare style. I suspect she benefits from her background as a journalist and her Scots culture. The British seem to take themselves less seriously than Americans. I admire Lorna Martin's willingness to invest both time and money significantly in her own self-growth. I was intrigued with the UK system of entering psychotherapy. The author first met with a psychiatrist who assessed her situation, then was referred to a psychoanalyst who would work with her. And I can't help thinking the author was extremely lucky. Her analyst seems totally professional, never once slipping out of her role or making a mistake. I would have liked to learn more about the mysterious Dr J's credentials. Definitely a tougher, less vulnerable therapist than "Dr Melfi" on the Sopranos! Martin was especially fortunate because her sister and good friend were therapists. They were able to give support and context that would not be available to most therapy clients. Indeed, Martin's whole family seems alarmingly well-adjusted and supportive. She doesn't seem to have much background trauma so her role as "normal neurotic" fits well. It's hard to tell how much this background contributed to her good experience with therapy. Regardless, it's a good read if you're looking for something a cut above chick lit. It could pass for a novel, right up to the realistic yet satisfying ending.

The author tells a cringe-worthy story about her recovery from a misguided, destructive affair with such humor. Difficult to pull off. I almost dismissed this as chick lit, but glad I didn't. It was well worth the time.

Like a previous reviewer, I purchased this book after reading the excellent review in Entertainment Weekly. As someone that enjoys popular culture from the UK, it was great fun to read references to various musical artists and other Glasgow locales that may not be familiar to the typical American reader. The author mentions a few times that she didn't have a major trauma occur during childhood, but wants to work on issues in her relationships. I found her journey very enlightening and educational. I have experienced a severe childhood trauma and could relate to her opinion of cognitive behavioral therapy as not being very useful. For those that have found medications and CBT lacking in the healing process, this memoir offers a fresh perspective. It greatly helped me understand certain things in my own life that years of CBT and trying various SSRIs and other anti-anxiety meds never helped to clear up for me. I think it makes a convincing argument for greater availability and affordability of alternative forms of therapy for those in need of something more than traditional CBT and pharmaceuticals.

I enjoyed the book; a compelling story that sheds light on psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and illustrates both it's benefits and its relational attachment failings.