Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Gottlieb structures her narrative by alternating between her experiences as a therapist and as a patient. How does this dual perspective affect your understanding of the therapeutic process?
• The author merges elements of memoir, case studies, and psychological insight. Which of these narrative approaches did you find most compelling, and why?
• Gottlieb’s portrayal of her professional missteps and personal vulnerabilities adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. How did this honesty influence your perception of both therapy and therapists?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The book explores how people often resist confronting difficult truths about themselves. Which key figure’s resistance patterns felt most familiar to you, and what did you learn from their journey?
• Gottlieb describes several breakthrough moments in therapy, both as a therapist and patient. Have you experienced similar moments of sudden clarity or understanding in your own life?
• The author discusses how her patients’ stories began affecting her own emotional journey. How have other people’s experiences of growth and change influenced your personal development?
• Many of Gottlieb’s patients tell stories about themselves that are at odds with the reality. Have you ever caught yourself doing this? What motivated this alternative narrative?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How does the book address society’s shifting attitudes toward mental health and therapy? What stigmas or misconceptions does it challenge?
• The book explores how different patients approach happiness and fulfillment. How do their perspectives reflect broader cultural definitions of success and well-being in contemporary society? Does the book offer any critique of these societal values?
• Consider how different generations approach therapy in the book. How do these varying attitudes reflect broader cultural changes in American society?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Analyze how Gottlieb uses humor throughout the narrative. How does this stylistic choice affect the book’s treatment of serious topics?
• The concept of time appears repeatedly in the book—from session lengths to life transitions. How does the author develop time as a literary device?
• Examine how Gottlieb portrays her therapist, Wendell. How does his characterization evolve as the narrative progresses?
• Consider the role of physical spaces in the book—therapy offices, waiting rooms, and other settings. How do these spaces contribute to character development and story progression?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you could design an ideal therapy space based on the descriptions in the book, what elements would you include and why?
• Imagine creating a playlist that captures the emotional journey of one of the book’s central figures. Which songs would you choose and why?
• Select one of the clients from the book and draft an imaginary letter they might write to themselves five years after ending therapy. What insights or reflections might they include?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.