Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

This therapy group seemed completely unbounded and off-the-rails, and this book is sure to propel many readers to group therapy. I laughed out loud at the dialogue and fell a little in love with Dr. Rosen. I loved his idea that sharing anger is a form of intimacy and that confidentiality is just a way to “keep other’s shame”. I was in a group in Austin in the late 80s that wasn’t at all like this one. We didn’t discuss sex much and didn’t probe for details about another’s personal life. Confidentiality was mandatory due to the fact one member’s wife was escaping a cult. In fact, she screened all prospective new members to ensure they weren’t in the cult. Crazy but true.

Some people are going to love this book and some will hate it. I’m on the love it side of the equation. I liked the author’s writing style and appreciated how she share her deepest fears and insecurities. We all have them. I wasn’t shocked by Dr. Rosen’s methods or his commitment to radical honesty. It’s not for everyone but it worked for the author. I’m guessing that there are therapist who may not agree with the methods utilized in this story. At the end of the day I thought it was a good read and I applaud the author for baring her soul. I did think that it got a little repetitious by the end of the book and that the last chapter and epilogue felt a little rushed.

I stayed up til 3am reading this book. Christie Tate had my attention from the first page. She writes beautifully, for one thing, and she tells a great story. This story is her own, and she tells it like she’s talking to an old friend. It’s full of love and honesty, seeking and finding. It’s about the self and community and love. I can’t wait to read her next work.

Amazing story. Very relatable at times. The kind of book that makes you want to give her a hug.

This was a strange book. I'm glad that she found healing in her groups and with her therapist. But I have some ethical issues with the no secrets business and with the therapist telling group members what to do socially. It speaks of poor boundaries on all their parts and some significant overstep on the therapist's. Also the very specific details about her home address and parents and life in Texas may hurt others who did not want their secrets revealed.

The book in a few words; honest, raw, vulnerable, fascinating. Christie Tate provides vivid insights into the hard work of group therapy and how her group friends lifted her up, saw her through the worst, and ultimately the best.She does a fabulous job of encouraging us to seek help when needed and be okay with leaning on others, but also avoids being heavy- handed in delivering that important message.One note: if you prefer not to read about sex, at points you may feel uncomfortable – as the author honestly shares the entirety of what she’s struggling with.This book was selected for Reese’s book club this month- a huge coup for a debut author- and I see that it’s totally merited! Such an important topic and absorbing memoir.

I found this book to be enlightening. As someone who has tried (and failed, many many times) to go to therapy, it gives me a little better understanding of how I should be approaching appointments. It also helped me see that maybe the issues I struggle with, which at times have me immensely stressed out and feeling alone, are more common than my brain allows me to understand in those moments.I rated this 3.75 stars because there were times I was just, bored. I had to remind myself that this is a work of nonfiction, someone’s actual life, and that life isn’t always super exciting, or even mildly exciting. There was much repetition in the story as well, relationship after relationship of the same actions, same feelings, I just wanted to shake her and say “can’t you see you’re making the same mistakes?” But unfortunately that’s not always how life works. Dr Rosen seemed to understand that and it was intriguing to see his direction for Christie while she navigated her life.Christie goes through years and years of inability to accept love; with an endless need to be loved and to find “the one”. What a combination am I right? Through therapy she’s able to break down many barriers that she created, but it doesn’t happen overnight and it certainly isn’t instantaneous. I appreciate that this memoir was able to shine a light on therapy and healing in a way movies and tv shows don’t—it felt real because it was.

This book was written with such honesty and openness and a lot of humor that I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend this one

Well articulated authentic and raw read.It will stick to you for months

I burst into tears several times while reading this story. As a rational person, I seldom enjoy reading narrative-driven books because the emotional content usually leaves me feeling depressed or bored, but this story is an exception. Perhaps deep down, I feel as lonely as the author, which is why I could share the same sentiment with her.

An amazing book. Would definitely recommend. It arrived quickly. The letting size is a little smaller than usual, but it’s still very easy to read

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It is heartwarming in a lot of different levels.The only thing that kind of threw me was that she turns 34 two times in the book - a not so easy to miss editing issue that I hope can be fixed for future readers!

guter Zustandschnelle Lieferungsehr interessantes Buch!