Introduction

Content Warning: The source text and this guide mention mental health issues, including suicidal ideation and substance use disorders. Irvin D. Yalom reveals that in his old age, he has become more aware of what he would like his legacy to be and that he wrote this book to pass down his knowledge to a new generation of therapists. He laments that therapists of all kinds are under increasing pressure to provide brief, economical sessions, limiting the amount of work they can accomplish with their patients. Nevertheless, he hopes they can adapt his guidance and make it relevant to their therapeutic practices. Yalom identifies the two main types of therapy he has offered: group therapy and existential therapy. While his group therapy focuses on relationships, his existential therapy helps individuals understand how they are affected by the inherent problems of the human condition, whether consciously or unconsciously. These four major existential concerns are isolation, death, freedom, and finding meaning in life. He says therapy should be relationship-driven, rather than theory-driven, and therapists shouldn’t force conversations about these existential matters. Instead, they should become more aware of them and bring them up when relevant. Yalom describes the ideal therapist-patient relationship as being egalitarian, and the therapist must be as open and engaged as possible.

Introduction Summary

Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Summary: “Remove the Obstacles to Growth”

Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Summary: “Avoid Diagnosis (Except for Insurance Companies)”

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Summary: “Therapist and Patient as ‘Fellow Travelers’”

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Summary: “Engage the Patient” 

Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Summary: “Be Supportive” 

Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Summary: “Empathy: Looking Out the Patient’s Window” 

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Summary: “Teach Empathy”

Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Summary: “Let the Patient Matter to You”

Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Summary: “Acknowledge Your Errors” 

Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Summary: “Create a New Therapy for Each Patient”

Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Summary: “The Therapeutic Act, Not the Therapeutic Word”

Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Summary: “Engage in Personal Therapy”

Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Summary: “The Therapist Has Many Patients; the Patients, One Therapist”

Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Summary: “The Here-and-Now—Use It, Use It, Use It”

Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Summary: “Why Use the Here-and-Now?” 

Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Summary: “Using the Here-and-Now—Grow Rabbit Ears” 

Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Summary: “Search for Here-and-Now Equivalents”

Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Summary: “Working Through Issues in the Here-and-Now”

Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Summary: “The Here-and-Now Energizes Therapy”

Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Summary: “Use Your Own Feelings As Data”

Introduction-Chapter 20

Introduction-Chapter 20 Analysis

Society

Community

Values & Ideas

Equality

Health & Wellness

Health & Medicine

Race & Ethnicity

Jewish American Literature

Mental Illness

Humanities

Philosophy, Logic, & Ethics

Social Sciences

Psychology

Self-Help Books

Trust & Doubt

Irvin D. Yalom

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Gift of Therapy and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Gift of Therapy Summary and Study Guide

contentWarning

Background

The Gift of Therapy Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

The Gift of Therapy Introduction-Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-41

The Gift of Therapy Chapters 21-41 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 42-63

The Gift of Therapy Chapters 42-63 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 64-85

The Gift of Therapy Chapters 64-85 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

The Gift of Therapy Key Figures

theme

Themes

The Gift of Therapy Themes

Index of Terms

The Gift of Therapy Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Get ready to explore The Gift Of Therapy and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Gift Of Therapy Important Quotes with Page Numbers

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Gift of Therapy Essay Topics

The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients

Introduction-Chapter 20Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Related Titles

Featured Collections