Becoming Myself: A Psychiatrist’s Memoir, by Irvin D. Yalom, New York, NY: Basic Books, ISBN: 9780465098897, 2017, 343 pages, $30.00.
I have read and enjoyed several of Irvin Yalom’s books. His Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy has been a valuable resource to my work as a group facilitator and social work educator. So, I looked forward to reading his latest book, Becoming Myself: A Psychiatrist’s Memoir. I was not disappointed. Yalom’s memoir is an easy-to-read and enjoyable journey through the life of a very interesting man.
While sharing his experiences as a new and developing psychiatrist, Yalom provides a brief history of psychiatric treatment orientation in the U.S. He describes the orthodox Freudian and the analytical approaches, which were prevalent when he began his career, and then goes on to discuss how psychiatry moved toward the interpersonal approach, a modification of the orthodox Freudian approach. He touches on the biopsychological approach, which at the time primarily offered “somatic therapies as insulin coma therapy and— electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)” (p. 102). Group therapy was a new idea at this time. Throughout his work, Yalom has significantly contributed to the understanding of what makes therapy helpful and of how to engage meaningfully with clients in individual and group therapy.
Yalom has much to offer social workers. Throughout the book, he repeatedly touches on three points that are central to good social work. The first is the importance of human relationships. This is one of our core values. Social workers learn that it is through the relationships we form with our clients that positive change can happen. We must be present and engaged with the client.
The second point is Yalom’s focus on process—what is happening in the here and now. The past is important, the future is important, but what is happening here and now, as we are working on this challenge together, is most important. It is where hope and empowerment occur as clients start to believe in themselves and their ability to change.
The third point is the need to self-reflect. Yalom models ongoing self-reflection as he strives to be of use to his clients. It is through his reflection on his experiences in his own therapy and on his work with clients that Yalom developed his ideas about what works and why. Yalom is curious and continually learning.
I recommend this book. Those familiar with Yalom’s work will enjoy learning more about him, and those to whom Yalom is new will gain insights into how to work effectively with clients and how to enjoy a long and satisfying career.
Reviewed by Karen Zellmann, MSW, LCSW, BSW Program Coordinator and Associate Professor, Western Illinois University.