Lying on the Couch: A Novel

I was fascinated from the first moment with this novel. It's a very interesting expose of psycho-therapy - although you don't have to be involved with psycho-analysis to be able to appreciate the story.The main protagonist, Ernest Lash, is just as his name suggests; earnest. He is vulnerable, erotic, sincere and trying his very best to rise above the professional detachment of his peers. He is experimenting with being totally honest with his patients, and in doing so, discovers the same pit-falls and dangers experienced in any truly intimate relationship.The novel tracks the gamut of human foibles, neatly shared between it's believable cast of characters. Pomposity, megalomania, addiction, betrayal, lust and revenge all rear their ugly heads - tempered by the redemptive actions of forgiveness, compassion and sincerity. A very satisfying and informative journey into the miasms of the human mind.I don't know why I was surprised that Yalom was such a good writer. Perhaps I expected the dryness that often accompanies the writing of many other professionals in their fields of expertise. Not so in this case. Yalom cleverly draws the reader in from the first paragraph and keeps us turning pages until the last.Highly recommended.

Okay, I had to order this book for school (I'm studying to be a LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor). I was excited to have to buy a non-fiction book instead of a fiction book for school, especially when I saw the cover of the book and the reviews. If anything, even if the book is terrible, it looks great on my nightstand (see picture) :-). My schooling starts end of August and I have already read about 100 pages of this book, I have not finished it obliviously but I feel I can give enough of a review/perspective to hopefully help others.Pros:The writing is crisp, engaging in third person and have different "voices" because the story deals with different characters.The author, Irvin D. Yalom, does a good job of creating very different types of characters and he knows A LOT about psychotherapy because he is one, the author is currently in his 80's and according to Wiki page, still cuts a strong figure in his pictures and I can imagine he is (or was?) a bit of a Don Juan if you will with the ladies. I base that presumption on the fact that the first character in the book is an elderly man who is a psychotherapist that gets involved with a very promiscuous/off kilter patient. I imagined the author relating to this since he wrote the book n 1996 and as of 2016, he's 85, so 20 years ago, mid 60's he could foresee a man in his 70's still being able to catch a young and sexually active woman.But that's not what this book is about really, so far, the book seems to be about how as patients, as clients, as therapist etc. we all experience things in our own way. What makes Irvin (the author) so good is that he is able to not just create multi-dimensional characters but SO many of them! It's as if the author himself has tons of different personalities in him (he is a Gemini ...ha, so who knows). So far this is why I DO like the book.NowCons:Where I struggle with the book is Irvin sometimes, especially in the first chapter, writes too much and makes you want to get to the point. Also, as interesting and varied some of his characters are? Some of a bit stereotypical.I have no idea where the book will end but it's much like a series of short stories strung together yet with most, if not all, the characters somehow being connected to each other.I look forward to the end of this book, not because it's so bad, but rather because much like ourselves, as human beings, it is multi-layered and unpredictable.

I got this book for a college course. I bought a different copy first and wasn’t sure if it was the right one, so I bought this one also. I appreciate that it came in a timely manner because, like I said I need it for school. Came in good condition. Happy with purchase.

Although the book started a bit slow for my taste, I trusted Yalom and waited patiently for the plot to unfold.Boy! not only the book took some interesting turns I didn't expect, but it also delivered many interesting lessons through the various characters. The second half of the book went by extremely fast for me and I found it difficult to put the book down. Although I was able to foresee parts of the end, I was still pleasantly surprised by the way things came to an end.As a Clinical Psychology student, I was interested in reading this book for an expansion into Yalom's therapy perspective. The book provides wonderful advice for those who are open to listen. As an avid reader, I found the book engaging and entertaining.

Excellent book - it seems that the novel was written to flesh out the issues that face modern therapists and detail some of the worst case scenarios possible for any training psychoanalyst. Issues of sexual impropriety, gifting, excessive adherence to psychoanalytic method over connection, coaching patients toward their addictions, and fraud are essential themes of this book. Sometimes Yalom's voice can be heard in all of the characters and the scenarios are a little pat, but the underlying message rings true. The teaching tenets of honesty, propriety, and the impact of therapeutic connection are the goals of the book and all of its characters.

I would imagine the majority of people would revere the psychiatric profession and assume a psychiatrist would really have it together. This book reveals an insider's look into the psychiatric profession and shows us they have as many or more issues than we do. The writing moves along at a great pace for the most part. One or two areas where the story is interrupted by details not really relevant to moving the story forward. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was, in my opinion, combination novel and text book cases....although they were not written as text cases so don't be put off by that. It was an intelligent read and certainly worthwhile. The author, Yalom, created a very good read with interesting truths shared by the characters.

This fiction is about existential phycoterapy, the psychological approach of the author, but it is also a nice story with a good plot, and the reader can find various ideas about life worth a meditation. Very nice

Love the genuineness of the characters - don't know if people who aren't psychologists / psychiatrists would enjoy it as much tho

très intelligent et bien construit, ce livreardu, faut rester connectébien écrit - très profitable et enrichissant!

In the novel Lying on the Couch by Irvin D. Yalom, the author delves into the intricate dynamics and challenges that exist between therapists and their clients. Through a mildly satirical lens, the book presents two interwoven narratives, each highlighting instances where patients deceive their trusting therapists and the therapists themselves grapple with professional boundaries. At the centre of the story is Ernest Lash, a psychotherapist who transitions from psychopharmacology to beginner psychoanalysis but starts questioning the artificial and rigid nature of the therapeutic relationship. Ernest yearns to explore a more authentic, human, and transparent approach in his practice.As we embark on this journey, we navigate the intricate realm of the human psyche, observing the intersecting worlds of psychiatry and storytelling. Within the narrative, an unspoken truth emerges - the potential manipulation and misuse of intimate relationships by therapists for their own gain.Irvin D. Yalom was a prominent American psychiatrist and psychotherapist known for his influential work in existential psychotherapy and his numerous books on the subject. His writing is captivating and clever, infused with a satirical flair that continuously draws in the knowledgeable reader. He employs expressive language and visual descriptions to craft dynamic and unforgettable characters, while his storytelling technique is engaging and moves at a well-structured pace. The character development within Yalom's work is exemplary, as he delves deeply into the motivations, conflicts, and interconnections of the main protagonists.Lying on the Couch excels in its unique perspective and profound insights. Yalom delves into the intricacies of the therapeutic alliance, offering valuable reflections and stimulating contemplation. His clever critique of psychoanalysis and existential psychotherapy provides an enjoyable and enlightening experience. The book's emotional resonance is noteworthy as Yalom's characters grapple with themes of love, grief, and betrayal. Although the pacing occasionally lags and characterisations may lack consistency, certain plotlines remain unresolved, possibly leading to some readers being frustrated. I didn’t find it a problem for me.Yalom extensively examines the significance of the therapeutic alliance in this book, exploring its social, cultural, and philosophical implications. He challenges conventional assumptions about the scope of therapy and the medical paradigm by emphasising that the therapeutic relationship extends beyond the therapist-patient dynamic.Lying on the Couch is an exceptional and enticing book that distinguishes itself from other novels I have read in this genre. Although it may have occasional pacing concerns and character development inconsistencies, it is a unique and intellectually stimulating piece of literature. I especially recommend it to readers with some background or interest in psychotherapy and/or psychology and who appreciate subtly satirical examinations of intricate connections and intellectually stimulating portrayals of therapeutic relationships.

Fantastic novel! He is so accurate about psychotherapeutic procedures and at the same time, so realistic when it comes to each individual's limitations and weaknesses. The daily struggles therapists face in their practice, the pride, the fear, and how different therapists face each issue so differently, are described with painstakingly realistic accuracy and artistic fluency with which Yalom is gifted.