Smitchy's Reviews > Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

This was so unexpected - I picked it up and ripped through it in two days, which I have not done to a book in ages.
Christie's story is relatable especially in light of the (enforced) isolation many of us have been in to one degree or another. On the the surface she is going brilliantly, top of her law school class with a promising career ahead of her. Inside she is feeling so disconnected from people and herself, she finds herself wishing someone would shoot her.

Enter Dr Rosen and his groups. Now I am the first to admit that like Christie I would struggle to put my deepest secrets in front of a group of strangers but there is also a certain appeal of Rosen's philosophy of only honesty can help you open up and all secrets bring is internalised shame (yours or on behalf of other people).
This book wont be for everyone - Christie opens up to both her groups and us as readers about everything from worms in childhood, to body issues, to sex (there is a fair bit of sex), to jealousy of others, and all those other little niggles we push down and hide because we are embarrassed or ashamed.

While I did on occasion want to tell Christie to dump her useless boyfriend or stand up for herself (as I am sure Dr Rosen and her fellow group members wanted to as well) I can see the value of allowing someone to make mistakes and workout for themselves what they need rather than stepping in and making decisions for them as the latter results in dependence and the former results in growth.