The Therapist’s New Clothes
by Judith Schwartz
Shires Press
Copyright © 2009
ISBN: 1605710342
148 Pages
$21.95 List
$14.49 Amazon
$9.99 Smashwords
I’d been following the journey of Judith Schwartz’s book for several months now, mainly because she used the Espresso Book Machine to publish it. The first Espresso Book Machine in the U.S. belongs to the Northshire Bookstore in Vermont where copies of Judith’s book can be born in a matter of minutes. The word therapist in the title pretty much kept me away from reading it, but after Mrs. Schwartz’s approached me with her book, I decided to give it a try. And I’m glad I did.
At 148 pages, it’s a short and quick read and some readers may frown at that list price, although E-readers can download it at Smashwords for $9.99, but keep in mind what it takes to put this book together. And I’m not just talking about the physicality involved: the cost of paper and ink, time and payroll to run that nifty little book machine, electricity and maintenance, packing and shipping.
Most readers don’t consider the effort that is placed into a book beyond a writer spending hours sweating over a keyboard, and then I don’t even think they take that into consideration sometimes. But those, like me, who support the indie community do know what it takes and can certainly appreciate a book like Judith’s. And just by reading Judith’s book, you do get a sense of the blood, sweat, and tears she put into the story that lies on the page.
The story evolves around Judith’s on self journey to mental health. Deeply affected by her grandmother’s suicide, Judith finds that happiness escapes her and is always out of reach. As she matures, marries, and has a child, the new focus in her life sadly does not help her succeed at finding the meaningful connections she longs for outside herself. She’s good at putting up a front, but she is a ticking time bomb on the inside on the verge of emotional breakdown. She seeks therapy to extinguish that fuse, and on the road to recovery, she decides to become a therapist herself.
The book begins with Judith, all dressed up in new clothes which she hopes will make her look and feel like a real therapist, about to meet her first patient who, like Judith once was, is lost and becomes a metaphor for what Judith has just gone through. From there, the book switches back and forth between past and present as Judith recounts her own journey through therapy, education, and ultimately happiness.
This book is an ideal guide book through self-awareness for those who may be experiencing the same problem, and in today’s society, who isn’t? But that’s what makes this book so personal for Judith and for the reader. As you read it, you’ll be saying, “Oh my, that’s me!” As a therapist herself, Judith admits that her journey is not complete. Happiness in life can be achieved, but it is not always a final destination. Instead, we must conquer those bumps in the road that stand in our way of trying to get there. And instead of finding happiness at the end of the road, the journey becomes more about those obstacles – not just solving them but discovering how they got there in the first place, facing up to them and owning them. Here’s a bit near the end of the book that couldn’t ring more true:
One bit of wisdom was that psychoanalysis could not promise freedom from sadness and care, rather that one went from neurotic misery to “ordinary unhappiness”. Glad I got that misery out of the way.
And as I said, I’m glad I read this book. Divided into “three years,” this is not your typical self-help book sectioned with outlines and motivational quotes. It’s actually far from it, and I wouldn’t even classify it as self-help. Instead, the book is one person’s story who was in search of help and succeeded in getting it, and ultimately succeeded in helping others along the way. If you don’t read any other nonfiction book this year, read this one. Like I said, it’s a quick read. It’s also heartfelt and not a word is wasted. Judith’s new “clothes” make her look like a winner, and so does this book!
Read a preview of Judith’s book here!
Want to learn more about Judith, The Therapist’s New Clothes, and her experience with publishing using the Espresso Book Machine? Check back tomorrow for an author interview!
