Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy: Amazon.co.uk: Philippa Perry, Junko Graat: Books

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

Product Description

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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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

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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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

Couch Friction... 30 July 2010

By nancydrew

I've got to disagree strongly with Wiggles - this is a lucid, succinct work - and that applies to both the writing as well as the artwork. Sure, it may not be a traditionally told narrative - but surely that's the whole point! Comics allow you to tell stories in a different way - and what i think Perry effectively achieves here is drawing the layman into the process of analysis without treating them like idiots. Graat's artwork really works in that, as with the clear simplicity of Tintin and early Popeye, it really serves the story, paring images down to their essential meanings. Bravo to both the writer and artist for creating a really exciting graphic novel quite like anything that has gone before!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

Witty and insightful 6 Jun 2010

By anonymous

...and a really interesting read. Great succinct introduction to what psychotherapy is and what it does. Beautiful illustrations and a sympathetic text.Would highly recommend this book for anyone who is wondering about psychotherapy but isn't sure.