I first came across Dr. Yalom's works when I took a required course in group therapy, and his text on the subject was the reference for the course. It did not take me long to gain a sense of awe at his wisdom, the likes of which can only be compared to something usually reserved for a demi-god. Nevertheless, Dr. Yalom is a wise man who has "been there," and his writings reflect the wisdom of his years.
The Gift of Therapy will renew your sense of passion for the mental health field. Dr. Yalom has a way of giving his readers insight into the therapy process, which affords the practioner or therapist-to-be a vantage point that will make him or her appreciative of all of the good we can do in the service of humankind.
There were times when reading this book, when I had to set it down and ruminate on what I had just read; Dr. Yalom has a way of expressing the profound, without pedantry, and the sublime, without silliness. After reading this book I am literally in awe of this "giant" and I am proud that we are both serving humanity in the same field.
