But, the book world is giving it a shot.
CATHERINE GILDINER: It depends who the therapist is.
But then I’ve had patients that have been referred to me who have been to terrible therapists.
So, it just depends what kind of story they want to tell.
It made me understand, in a new way, how the process works both ways.
Can you talk about what went into your decisions to actually write these books?
I took a break from writing, took a few classes and I started writing nonfiction.
And then I just stuck with it.
In my very first draft, I never used anybody’s real name, even the therapist.
I just never thought anyone was going to read it.
I never thought this would be a thing.
But when you think that no one’s going to read it, then you write the truth.
We all stood up and cheered and told him how incredibly brave he was.
There was no one else in the world to help her.
I thought, I want to write a book aboutpsychologicalheroes.
The level of detail in both books is impressive; how did you recreate everything?
That’s kind of unusual.
They have really compelling stories.
They had things that would be very fun to read and write about.
I can’t write about my group-mate’s sex life.
Cathy, you did of course include the stories of other people.
What was the process of getting their permission and blessing?
GILDINER: People had different responses.
He said it’s like the 12th step, where you give back.
But the barometer, for me, was what is an emotional truth?
I kept calling them lateral facts.
And I let everyone in the book read it and weigh in on it.
I mean, I still sit with these people, so I can’t screw them over.
I wouldn’t anyway, I hope, but there’s a real check on me here.
But without it, you’re writing a ridiculous, I’m-a-perfect-therapist book.
Interestingly, one of my early readers reflecting a fear back to me that was sort of storming around.
Do you trust your therapist?
And I just laughed so hard.
Because I do, but more than that I trust the group process.
