Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery

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I found it refreshing that the author did not shy away from pointing out her own mistakes during treatment. Most doctors will rather cut off a body part than admit fault. I also appreciated that at the end of each section, she shared how she approached the patient to discuss including their story in the book. Hearing these details made it easier to not worry their confidences had been compromised. They wanted others to benefit from their experiences, and in that and many other regards, they were, in fact, heroes. I was intrigued by the title and as a former psychology minor in college, I was excited when my request was approved.

Good Morning, Monster - Penguin Random House Canada Good Morning, Monster - Penguin Random House Canada

For Gildiner, the idea that situations can have many layers is central to therapy. She often had patients seek her assistance for one reason, only to discover later that the root of the problem was much different.Many thanks to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Ms. Catherine Gildiner for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. I gasped out loud when she told a male sexual abuse survivor that he was likely chosen by the priest because of his attractiveness and was glad he walked out for several weeks. She still doesn’t seem to understand what an obtuse comment she made to a traumatized adult. I’m not sure the quality of her work as a therapist, but I do think she believed she was good at her job. I had a few Aha-moments, which has influenced how I see some aspects of my own life now. We tend to forget that we create defense mechanisms in childhood to cope with certain things, but then retain these long after they become unnecessary. Each case presented is quite different and unique. From a woman with recurring herpes outbreaks because of stress, to a Native American man who cannot show emotion. They all have one thing in common, showing that trauma, abuse, neglect can induce destructive triggers but it also shows the indomitable human spirit to overcome adversity.

Good Morning, Monster - Macmillan

When I asked how I could help her, Laura sat for a long time looking out the window. I waited for her to tell me the problem. I continued to wait in what’s called a therapeutic silence—an uncomfortable quiet that’s supposed to elicit truth from the patient. Finally, she said, “I have herpes.” To say people are resilient downplays the strength, willpower and incredible determination Dr. G's patients demonstrated to survive at all costs, despite the horrible and terrible obstacles life threw at them. Heart-wrenching stories... [that] inspire awe for the ways people who suffered horrific abuse were able to find a measure of recovery." — Publisher's Weekly

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Yet....unfortunately( just being honest), I did more judging and evaluating ( some of it very positive- some less so).... Full Book Name: Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery Gildiner is astute, active, pragmatic, and hopeful. She is also very funny. Her wit and her wisdom are gifts shared with these five people — and now with all of us readers." — David S. Goldbloom, co-author of How Can I Help?: A week in My Life as a Psychiatrist Gildiner’s subject is heroism — writ large and with poignant specificity in five unforgettable patients’ lives . Good Morning, Monster will bolster your faith in human endurance, and make you root more fiercely for us all.“ — Paula McLain, author of Love and Ruin and The Paris Wife

GOOD MORNING, MONSTER | Kirkus Reviews

Book Genre: Autobiography, Biography, Biography Memoir, Health, Memoir, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychology Japan's Gaga Corp Talks 'Monster' Success, US Strikes Impact & Upscale Horror, As 'Nightborn' Joins Busy Acquisitions Slate If you're going to choose to read this book, realize that it has many things discussed in detail that could be triggering and traumatic. One of the cases in particular is pretty detailed with the sexual abuse of a child and it was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching for me and I'm not personally affected by it.

All of the cases feature victims of extreme child abuse and sexual violence, and are therefore hard to read. I found the first two stories heartbreaking but inspirational. It was great to see therapy in action, helping people find peace with themselves and their history, and eventually lead much happier, healthier lives. I loved that part, and left those chapters feeling inspired to take a closer look at my own mental health.

Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner | Goodreads Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner | Goodreads

THE DAY I OPENED my private practice as a psychologist, I sat smugly in my office. Fortified with the knowledge I’d acquired, taking comfort in the rules I’d learned, I looked forward to having patients I could “cure.” But second of all, Good Morning, Monster is a book that creates hope. In each of these stories, these traumatized people made it. They completed therapy successfully, and they have turned from hurt beings into people who can have a more positive approach to life again. They are real success stories. These stories show how the process of therapy can heal even the deepest wound and most traumatic of experiences." — Lee Woodruff Gildiner does a great job explaining psychological concepts in a way that lay folks will understand. Most readers will enjoy her stories. I’m probably more critical than the average reader.In this Blink, we’ll cover three of these five patients’ stories. These men and women all experienced enormous hardship in their childhoods, which followed them into their adult lives. You’ll learn about a music prodigy left alone for most of his childhood, a Cree man who was abducted from his family by the Canadian government as a child and put in a residential school, and a highly successful antique dealer whose company began to crumble when her anxiety spiked. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of GOOD MORNING MONSTER by Catherine Gildiner in exchange for my honest review.*** The urologist recommended Gildiner because Peter’s problem seemed purely psychological. Indeed, Gildiner would come to find it was exactly so. Last year I listened to and LOVED Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed and although this one definitely has a more serious tone I still found the 5 cases presented fascinating.