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Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy [Paperback]

Philippa Perry (Author), Junko Graat (Illustrator)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 29 April 2010
Ever wanted an insight into counselling? Or wished you could be a 'fly-on-the-wall' in a psychotherapy session? Couch Fiction allows you to peep through the key-hole of the therapy room door and, more than that, read the minds of the protagonists...

Based on a case study of Pat (our sandal-wearing, cat-loving psychotherapist) and her new client, James (an ambitious barrister with a potentially harmful habit he can't stop), this graphic novel follows the anxieties, frustrations, mind-wanderings and break-throughs of each, through a year of therapy sessions together. Beautifully illustrated and accompanied by succinct and illuminating footnotes, this book offers a witty and thought-provoking exploration of the therapeutic journey, considering a range of skills, insights and techniques along the way.

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Product details

  • Paperback: 152 pages
  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (29 April 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0230252036
  • ISBN-13: 978-0230252035
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 1.6 x 16.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 21,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review


'Philippa Perry's cute and clever graphic novel aims to be both an entertaining work of fiction and an introduction to psychotherapy...Perry's form suits her mission, Junko Graat's cheerful black and white sketches rendering the dreams, thoughts and alter egos that circulate around Pat's sofa...It's an appealing accessible read - perfect for a waiting room.' - The Guardian

'If you've got even a passing interest in psychotherapy you'll want to read this graphic novel three times, at least.' - Time Out

'I loved it. I smiled and laughed. And nodded. One to read for sure.' - Susie Orbach, author and columnist

'...set to capture the attention of the capital's culture vultures.' - Evening Standard

'Funtastic: How therapy works with all the fun of a cartoon.' - Oliver James is a clinical psychologist, author and broadcaster

'Perry delivers that rarity: an edifying page-turner.' - The Scotsman

'Philippa Perry has succeeded brilliantly in demystifying the complexities of the psychotherapeutic encounter by demonstrating not only something about the private conversations which transpire in the consulting room, but also by revealing the hidden thought processes in the mind of both the client and the psychotherapist. Her beautifully illustrated book "Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy" will be essential reading for anybody contemplating therapy, and would make an ideal gift for friends and colleagues.' - Professor Brett Kahr, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Psychotherapy and Mental Health at the Centre for Child Mental Health, London, and Honorary Visiting Professor at Roehampton University.

'The charming pictures show psychotherapy working; the witty and brilliant notes explain how and why.' - Dr Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats

'It is a rare thing to find such an informative and accessible book. Recommended as a good way to get a picture of what happens in psychotherapy.' - Diana Shmukler, Visiting Professor of Psychotherapy, Middlesex University, and formerly Associate Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa


'...this funny and enjoyable book will become required reading for psychotherapy students and would benefit anyone with even a casual interest in psychotherapy. Those who are thinking of consulting a therapist might 'dip their toe in' here, as might any lover of graphic fiction who relishes evesdropping on the lives of others...' - Paul Gravett, Graphic Medicine

'I've read hundreds of books about therapy and this is among the best…it has a wicked sense of humour and a great sense of style. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever considered therapy but been afraid to ask, for therapists who want to remind themselves why their profession matters and to anyone tempted to say that therapy is nonsense…' Alain de Botton, The Times


'Couch Fiction is one of the most unusual graphic novels that I had read recently and it is also one of the best.' - Bookgeeks.co.uk

'...funny and irreverent, but it also answers many of the questions people have about what therapy is, and how it works...' - The Observer

'In a departure from the graphic novel format, Perry adds a technical analysis of the thoughts and actions of her characters underneath the panels. This analysis adds a layer not usually present in a graphic novel, giving a more in depth understanding of the psychiatric issues discussed.' - The Guardian Science Blog

'...extols the virtues of psychoanalysis with warmth and gentle humour...' - Deborah Orr, The Guardian

'Couch Fiction has a mischievous humour that means it would make a great stocking filler for a therapist friend this Christmas. However, this graphic novella can also be recommended for its genuine educational value, which would make it a good text for any introductorycounselling course.' - Therapy Today

'This tale of psychotherapy in graphic novel form is nicely done. The footnotes explaining technical terms and ideas comment not only on why Patricia does what she does, but also what mistakes she makes. It is an instructive guide to modern psychotherapy that will appeal not only to those who know nothing about it but also those who have been in therapy already. The book is a quick and enjoyable read, and the graphic form provides an emphasis on the two different perspectives of therapist and client that would be hard to achieve with prose alone. It's a nice depiction of ordinary parts of therapy that often go unmentioned.' - Christian Perring, Professor of Philosophy, Dowling College,USA,Metapsychology Online Reviews

Book Description

A visually compelling and thought-provoking case-study, captivatingly told with witty detailing. Once picked up, this graphic novel is exceedingly difficult to put down.....
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro to and explanation of therapy 22 April 2013
By anne Lechartier
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this book highly enjoyable! It is a clear and fun explanation of what goes on in therapy, on both sides.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Psychotherapy puppets 5 July 2010
By Noel TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
The book is a graphic depiction of a psychotherapy case of a man "James" who is a successful barrister who begins to steal for no reason. His kleptomania is explored by his therapist "Pat". Revelations occur and James is cured.

I read this thinking it would be an interesting comic and, as a comics fan of both popular and indie varieties, gave this a try. Unfortunately it's not very interesting or well drawn.

First off, the "characters" never seem real but just cyphers for the author to put into situations that can put forward psychotherapy instruction. James: "I am beginning to resonate with the idea that an unacknowledged feeling can rule me, whereas I can have more control over the ones I know about." (p.96). Sort of hypothetical scenarios for demonstrative purposes with mannequins.

Furthermore, these scenarios feature footnotes that explain what's going on in the cartoon section, sort of a running commentary throughout. Because of this the comic never takes off as a story and heightens the sense that it is an introductory-type pamphlet on psychotherapy to those interested in it.

The book is basically if Freud's "Dora" was illustrated this would be it, drawn by a less talented Posy Simmonds or Gabrielle Bell. Possibly good to those with a passing interest in psychotherapy, but not a great comic and not a great read.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Not a great advert for psychotherapists. 18 Jan 2011
By ChekhovLover
Format:Paperback
I don't want to be completely negative about this book so I will start with aspects of it which were actually pretty good. I mainly liked the visual elements of this product. It's graphic form (even though I didnt particuarly like the drawing style)quite magically made the information contained within the book very easy to comprehend. The book its self is a rather unusual size, pleasant to look at and to hold.

So what didn't I like? Well, although this books is supposed to be aimed at prospective clients, as well as therapists & students, I'd say it would be largely unhelpful & perhaps even harmful for someone who is actually looking into getting therapy to read it. I say this in the main because it goes into great detail about the thoughts going on inside Patricia, the rather chilly therapists head during the featured therapy sessions- thoughts which include finding the client sexually attractive & later on as we find out, visa versa. Shockingly, as I guess author contrived) these thoughts are even later illustrated by a drawing of the client & therapist having imagined sex. Personally, I am no prude & as most people do, I know that sexual attraction is a common concern within the caring profession, but, I really don't think that a prospective client would benefit in any way by having this potential issue highlighted so vividly. After reading this book, particuarly on this matter but also on other musings of 'Patricia', I think it could definitely prove to be a case of 'don't think of the elephant' to the new client...who is obviously already overburdened.

My main other criticism concerns the choice of client. The very weatlthy kleptomaniac character used I'd imagine very few could relate to. This kind of leaves you with the impression that psychotherapy is only for the well heeled.

All in all good idea novelly presented, but absolutely best kept within the profession as I fear this book could potentially put many people who need councelling off getting the help which they so desperately need.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The only one of it's kind
Being referred for psychotherapy following illness I wondered what I was letting my self in for. Looking around this is the only book I cold find that explains what it is and how... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ant
4.0 out of 5 stars This book worked surprisingly well
Having been in therapy on and off for twenty odd years, I was very interested to see what Philippa Perry made of the therapeutic relationship between psychotherapist and counsellor... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
5.0 out of 5 stars Instructive and fun
I absolutely love this book and read it in one go when I first received it. Will be reading it again from time to time. The story and the pictures work perfectly together.
Published 10 months ago by RC75
5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy
I will be recommending Couch Fiction to colleagues and clients. A touch of genius, the format allows the reader to grasp the multilayered and multidimensional makeup of what goes... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Beryl Jakobson
3.0 out of 5 stars Interestesting and unusual. But not for people who don't know anything...
This book was an interesting insight into some psychotheraputic pratice, and suprisingly humorous. I liked that it was presented as an annotated graphic novel; it made it very easy... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dormouse
5.0 out of 5 stars A psychotherapeutic page-turner
I bought this book for my young adult children to read, because I thought it might be interesting to them, not specifically because of career choices, but because I thought it... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Alba
4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, enjoyable and enlightening
I really enjoyed Couch Fiction. As someone who is starting to learn about psychotherapy I found it to be a greatly accessible starting point and introduction to some of the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by redegan
5.0 out of 5 stars Give it a few pages and you'll find it's a gem
I bought this as a gift for my partner, and - trying to read it like a cartoon book and not a graphic novel - had only dipped in to a couple of pages and not really been taken by... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lindz
5.0 out of 5 stars Freud made simple!
I found this so easy to understand and enjoyed the picture part as I am finding that I am more visual. Read more
Published 20 months ago by star60
1.0 out of 5 stars A bit too smug
I bought this book after reading the favourable review in the Guardian: unfortunately it doesn't come anywhere near the hype. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2011 by Peter Ed
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