Sharing the extraordinary stories of ten everyday people engaging in psychotherapy, this book takes the reader into the room, showing the realities of being in therapy and providing insight into the perspectives of both the patient and the clinician.
Through these cases from her own practice, author and psychotherapist Bianca Denny dissects, unravels and reconstructs experiences of grief, denial, jealousy, shame, desire, and letting go. A terminally ill woman desperate to reconcile with her estranged family. A new mother on the precipice of admission to a psychiatric unit. A delusional man, intent on harming his wife. A bachelor who self-sabotages his last chance of happiness. An adult daughter struggling to understand the relationship with her mother, in the wake of her parent’s divorce. A person for whom a diagnosis of ADHD raises more questions than it answers. Denny shares her personal and professional insight through reactions of vulnerability, sadness, compassion and frustration. Readers are invited into the minds of patients as well as the internal workings of a therapist’s mind.
Exploring the complexity of the patient and therapist relationship, and what actually happens in therapy, this book is essential reading for qualifying and early career therapists.
CRITICS' REVIEWS
"Denny takes us inside the privileged patient-therapist relationship to show the complexity of the human condition - and how therapy can help people (though not always) navigate how their past has shaped them and continues to influence their decisions. Like a lighter, simpler version of Yalom's cases, she opens our eyes to the humanness of the therapist as she traverses cases of people stuck in their lives—from in repeating patterns of overinvolvement and rejection between mother and daughter to morbid jealousy. Suggested reading for all starting out therapists or anyone working in the mental health-illness space." Anne Buist, Professor, Women's Mental Health, University of Melbourne and author of The Glass House
**
"Denny gracefully balances empirical rigour, deep empathy and unflinching self-awareness to give us a multi-faceted portrait of the therapeutic relationship's transformative potential. A rare and intimate invitation into the consulting room, this beautiful book powerfully illuminates both the discipline's principles-in-action and the life-expanding possibilities of human relatedness. Clear and deep, Denny's writing offers a trove of wisdom for practitioners, general readers and all of us who can always learn to listen better." Sarah Krasnostein, PhD, Author of The Trauma Cleaner and The Believer
**
"In the tradition of Irvin Yalom and Oliver Sacks, Bianca Denny’s Talk to Me is a fascinating insight into the oft-mysterious world of psychotherapy. Blending clinical wisdom with literary talent, Denny skilfully explores themes including grief, neurodivergence, perinatal mental illness and the complexity of relationships in a work that’s accessible, vulnerable and compelling. I couldn’t put it down!" Ariane Beeston, author of Because I’m Not Myself, You See
** “In a world where memes riff on caricatures of Freud, and most therapists on screen are mad, bad or boring, Dr Denny’s book is a grounding breath of fresh air. In ten chapters, each centred on a different patient, she has given us ten good reasons why psychotherapy matters more than ever. She shows us ten different ways in which lives change because of this vital, evidence-based treatment that works via relationship, sense-making and deep new learning.
Too many great therapy books are hard work to read, especially to the newcomer, but this great therapy book is a bingeable series of compelling episodes, worth repeat viewing for the extra layers of robust theory and personal meaning the author has added to her patients’ stories. Newcomers to our field will feel welcomed and inspired by Dr Denny’s highly readable book, while more seasoned therapists will feel seen, recognising common dilemmas handled sensitively and with good humour.”
Matthew Roberts, MBBS MP FRANZCP, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapy Educator and Clinical Supervisor, Peninsula Health, Victoria, Australia; Psychotherapist in private practice, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
This is an essential guide for therapists at the beginning of their career. It goes beyond academic theory to provide readers with confidence and competence around core aspects of therapeutic processes, contend with professional and ethical issues as well as assist in establishing their identity and standing as a therapist. Informed by years of clinical work and supervision, Bianca Denny presents practical answers to burning questions in an authoritative and accessible manner.
The book offers plain language explanations of common dilemmas that often flummox trainee and early career therapists, such as keeping time in session, coping with ‘imposter syndrome’, decisions around managing confidentiality and working with patients who get under your skin. These are accompanied by practical tips and ready-to-implement skills, encouraging readers to consider the application of these skills to the patients and presentations in their current practice. Further supported by diagrams, tables and call-out boxes, the book is easy to navigate and revisit throughout the first weeks, months and years of a career in psychotherapy.
Practical and accessible, this book is ideal for trainee and early-career psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, and other helping professionals.
CRITICS' REVIEWS
"Denny distills the challenges faced by early-career therapists and provides actionable strategies, making this guide an invaluable resource for both novice practitioners and seasoned professionals seeking to refine their skills. Rather than adhering to a single theoretical framework, the book synthesises insights from influential psychotherapists and foundational theories, offering a balanced, compassionate, and practical approach... This text is poised to become essential reading for years to come." Fiona Bailey, DPsych, Psychologist, supervisor and Director, Australia
**
"Denny provides practical information on the how-to of psychotherapy but more importantly she delves into how to be a psychotherapist. Early-career therapists do have to learn practical skills to treat clients, but they also must learn to face themselves which is not something you can learn in a textbook. Denny brings the human into the therapy room, and this makes it an indispensable manual for all early-career therapists." Lauren Keegan, Perinatal Psychologist & Author of All the Bees in the Hollows
