Therapist’s Insights: Reflecting on Our Book Club Discussion of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
- Nikkie Evans
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
At Nikkie Evans PLLC, we are deeply committed to lifelong learning—not just for our clients, but for ourselves as a team. We believe that growth happens on both sides of the therapeutic relationship, and that includes the growth we experience as professionals. We recently started a team book club—an opportunity for us to learn, grow, and reflect together.
Last week, we gathered at a cozy local coffee shop to discuss the first book on our reading list: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. This memoir by Gottlieb, who is both a therapist and a therapy client, offers a candid and often humorous look into the world of therapy from both sides of the couch. As we sat together, sipping our coffee and reflecting on the book, we found ourselves connecting deeply with its themes, and we also realized how much the insights could benefit our clients as well.
Here are three key takeaways from our book club discussion that we believe would be helpful for clients to know as they embark on or continue their own therapy journeys.
1. Therapists Are Human Too – Embrace the Imperfections of the Therapeutic Process
One of the most striking aspects of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is how Gottlieb shows the vulnerability of therapists. As professionals, we often come across as calm, collected, and in control. But the reality is, therapists are human, just like our clients. Gottlieb reveals her own struggles and experiences as a therapy client, which reminded us that it’s important for clients to understand that their therapists don’t have all the answers. We, too, are on a journey of personal growth.
Key takeaway for clients: Therapy is a collaborative process. Your therapist is there to guide you, but they are not immune to personal challenges. Embrace the imperfections in the therapeutic relationship—it’s part of what makes it authentic and real. Both therapist and client are learning and growing together.
2. Therapy Takes Time – Be Patient with the Process
In our discussion, one of the themes that stood out was how therapy is not a quick fix. Clients often come in hoping for fast results- that a few sessions will solve their problems. However, just like personal growth and healing in real life, therapy is a gradual process. Gottlieb herself acknowledges how even as a therapist, she struggled with patience as she worked through her own issues in therapy. Real transformation takes time.
Key takeaway for clients: Be patient with yourself and the process. It can take time to make progress in therapy, and that’s okay. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward healing. Don’t rush it—therapy is about long-term growth, not instant change.
3. Vulnerability Is Key to Growth – Open Up to What Feels Uncomfortable
The book also underscores the power of vulnerability in therapy. Both as a therapist and a client, Gottlieb learns that true growth happens when we’re able to be open about our most difficult emotions and experiences. For clients, this might mean confronting deep-seated fears, past traumas, or parts of themselves they’ve avoided. While this vulnerability can feel uncomfortable and even frightening, it’s often the catalyst for real healing and transformation.
Key takeaway for clients: Vulnerability is a powerful tool for growth. The more you can allow yourself to be open about your feelings, even when it’s difficult, the more likely you are to experience true healing. Therapy is a safe space for this kind of emotional exploration, and it’s in those moments of discomfort that you’ll often see the most progress.
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To our clients: whether you’re just starting therapy or have been in the process for a while, remember that therapy is a journey. Be patient with yourself, embrace the discomfort that comes with vulnerability, and trust that you and your therapist are partners in this healing process. We’re all in this together, learning and growing along the way, while creating progress- not perfection.
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