Gildiner is a talented narrator and admirably summarizes years of sessions without the accounts feeling choppy or incomplete. But there is also growth, buoyancy and wonderful wit and humor ('Laura' on intimacy: 'Christ! Why not just dance naked in the streets?'). There is abuse, violence and neglect of every gradient. The levels of despair and dreadfulness underlying each of the five stories can't be overstated. Despite these interesting instructive moments, Good Morning, Monster is not aimed at academics rather, it provides a window for the lay person to bear witness to the most intimate of processes. Within their treatments, Gildiner highlights tools available to clinicians to facilitate acknowledgment and change. The patients vary in culture, socio-economic background and temperament. As pseudo-memoirist for five of her most layered and poignant clients, Gildiner clearly demonstrates the value of analysis, the resilience of the human spirit and the vast generosity of sharing one's life story. Catherine Gildiner is a clinical psychologist and author of a trilogy of memoirs (including Coming Ashore). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC and to the author.Ī version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.Īny doubt that seeking therapy is courageous will be put to rest by the patient profiles detailed in Good Morning, Monster.

The con in the book is the last case / client ‘Madeline Arlington’ (the title of the book refers to her problem - as well as probably a generic double entendre for all the psychological issues - 'monster' - one has to face head-on to get well.) Her story was under-whelming especially considering the author's decades in psychotherapy career.) Maybe it was included for the educational value of the transference angle. (I don’t know whether the names have been changed or not.) They also give a bird’s eye view of a different side of Canada, of various ethnicities and identitites.

The case histories of Laura (alcoholic father), Peter (fighting impotency), Danny (cultural castration and grief) and Alana (abuse) are shocking, frightening, gut-wrenching, inspiring and intriguing on multiple levels. The book is good in that it weaves the stories and struggles of those the author considers ‘psychological heroes’ (people who overcame huge odds to get better through years of therapy), giving their present-day status, as well as an honest look at the process of and limitations of any therapeutic endeavor, the author retelling her own thoughts without sounding like a know-it-all.

Good morning monster