Synopses & Reviews
An average day in the life of a psychologist is a frenetic one. A 9 a.m. appointment to help a woman manage a husband who wont take out the garbage (at least with his pants on) quickly shifts to an emotionally intense session with a convicted rapist at 10 a.m. After talking with
a child about his fears of school an hour later, the psychologist then meets with a therapist to deal with his own anxieties, followed by lunch with his socially-phobic colleague whos already had four martinis by 1 p.m. All this, and its
only Monday.
What most of us dont realize is that while mental health professionals are trying to help people resolve their problems, they often suffer from depression and anxiety, take antipsychotics, self-medicate with booze, and struggle in their own relationships. In other words, they can be just as “crazy” as their patients. Crazy is the story of how one mental health professional deals with his own personal problems and those of the people he treats. Part exposé and part memoir, it reveals what therapists really think about their profession, their colleagues, their patients, and their own lives.Ultimately, Dobrenskis riveting, sometimes humorous, and deeply insightful narrative brings us to one oddly comforting conclusion—namely, the therapists not-so-secret secret: Were all crazy.
Review
“The life, times, and thoughts of a New York therapist are put on display in a candid account of what goes on behind the doctors door—and in his head—during a day filled with patients and self-doubt. Tackling serious mental-health subjects without being overly reverent, shrinktalk.net blogger Dobrenski maintains a snappy pace. Patients are not spared his keen observations, which help to answer the vexing question: Am I paranoid, or does my shrink think I'm crazy—and sloppy? . . . But Dobrenski also puts himself under the microscope. . . . Clean, honest writing makes for an engaging read.” —Kirkus Reviews "Most people who get into psychology as a profession do it because they're crazy, and it's their way of healing themselves. The problem is, they never admit this fact to themselves or to anyone else. Dr. Rob does what very few psychologists ever do: He looks at himself with the same eye for analysis that he uses for his patients.” --Tucker Max, author of I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
“It takes a truckload of guts to write a book this honest about ones profession. To pen one as funny and insightful as Crazy is, simply, amazing. Youll never view therapy in the same light again.” --The Philadelphia Lawyer, author of Happy Hour Is for Amateurs
“If you ever wondered what your shrink was like out of office hours, then this is the book for you. A fascinating, thought-provoking and at times hilarious, read.” --Robin Baker, author of Sperm Wars and Primal
"Fun for anyone whos wondered what its like to make a living by listening to other peoples troubles all day." - Library Journal
"A refreshing memoir...a solid step in the right direction of reminding patients that treatment can be a two-way street." - Shelf Awareness
Synopsis
Crazy is the story of how one mental health professional deals with his own personal problems and those of the people he treats. Part expos and part memoir, it reveals what therapists really think about their profession, their colleagues, their patients, and their own lives.
Synopsis
Crazy is the story of how one mental health professional deals with his own personal problems and those of the people he treats. Part exposé and part memoir, it reveals what therapists really think about their profession, their colleagues, their patients, and their own lives.
Synopsis
Part exposé and part memoir, Crazy reveals what therapists really think about their profession, their colleagues, their patients, and their own lives. Rob Dobrenskis riveting, sometimes humorous, and deeply insightful narrative brings us to one oddly comforting conclusion—namely, the therapists not-so-secret secret: Were all crazy.
About the Author
Rob Dobrenski, PhD, is a licensed psychologist whose work has been published in The Best of Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 2. Visit him at ShrinkTalk.net.