Summary of Catherine Gildiner's Good Morning, Monster

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 When I opened my private practice as a psychologist, I was deluded about what I would be doing. I was expecting to cure my patients, but instead I had to learn how to be flexible as new information trickled in weekly.

#2 It’s difficult to treat a patient who isn’t psychologically oriented. Laura just wanted her herpes cured and, in her mind, therapy was a means to that end. She didn’t want to give a family history, since she had no idea how it would be relevant.

#3 The therapist and patient develop a bond that cannot be forced or created. If you don’t like your patient, you won’t like your therapy.

#4 Laura’s mother died when she was eight. She had never talked about it, but she’d gathered from her father’s snide comments that her family had basically disowned her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Mar 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669368618

IRB Media

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Insights on Catherine Gildiner's Good Morning, Monster

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

When I opened my private practice as a psychologist, I was deluded about what I would be doing. I was expecting to cure my patients, but instead I had to learn how to be flexible as new information trickled in weekly.

#2

It’s difficult to treat a patient who isn’t psychologically oriented. Laura just wanted her herpes cured and, in her mind, therapy was a means to that end. She didn’t want to give a family history, since she had no idea how it would be relevant.

#3

The therapist and patient develop a bond that cannot be forced or created. If you don’t like your patient, you won’t like your therapy.

#4

Laura’s mother died when she was eight. She had never talked about it, but she’d gathered from her father’s snide comments that her family had basically disowned her.

#5

When Laura was nine, her father moved the family to Bobcaygeon, an area northeast of Toronto. The family had no food and only two sets of clothes. Laura didn’t want to tell anyone they’d been abandoned for fear of being placed in foster care.

#6

When I was with Laura, I realized that she didn’t have any feelings. She had plans to take care of her family, and she didn’t want to explore her feelings because she believed that they were a luxury for people who lived a cushy life.

#7

When dealing with a patient’s pathological needs, it is important to understand that they are serious about leaving therapy. It is best to agree to their demands, but not to give in to them completely.

#8

Laura’s boyfriend, Ed, was constantly late, suspected of philandering, and gave her herpes. She didn’t expect decent, adult behavior from men.

#9

The art of therapy is getting the client to see it. If you rush it, they’ll snap shut. It takes patience to help clients build up those defenses, and it will take time to peel them away.

#10

I had patients who would bring cultural references to their therapy appointments. I would often have no idea what they were talking about, since I didn’t watch TV or listen to radio. I didn’t miss it anyway.

#11