Books With Characters in Therapy
In the past we’ve talked about movies with good, and not so good, representations of characters struggling with mental health. So, we thought it might be interesting to go through some books with characters in therapy. These books all have main characters navigating different journeys with their trauma and mental health. They’re also, in our opinion, pretty good representations of what the therapeutic process might look like. Hopefully you decide to pick one up!
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
The story centers on Eleanor Oliphant, a social misfit with a traumatic past who becomes enamored with a singer, whom she believes she is destined to be with. Eleanor Oliphant's therapist, Dr. Maria Temple, helps her process her traumatic past and understand how it affects her adult life. Eleanor's therapy sessions help her: Recover repressed memories, Learn to take responsibility for her emotions, and Feel more at peace with herself.
Turtles All the Way Down
Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Pickett’s son Davis. In Turtles All the Way Down, Aza Holmes' therapist, Dr. Singh, uses a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication to help Aza manage her anxiety and OCD.
The Silver Linings Playbook:
Meet Pat. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending for him — the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent time in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat's now home, and everything feels off. Pat meets with his therapist, Dr. Patel, both inside the therapy office and outside. We see him incorporate aspects of therapy into his life to begin healing. In our opinion, the book does a better job depicting mental health struggles and therapy than the movie.
Ordinary People
The Jarretts are a typical American family. Calvin is a determined, successful provider and Beth an organized, efficient wife. They had two sons, Conrad and Buck, but now they have one. In this memorable, moving novel, Judith Guest takes the reader into their lives to share their misunderstandings, pain...and ultimate healing. It is a novel that tackles gender roles, trauma, grief, and mental illness through therapy.
While these books can be great places to start to begin to understand what the process of therapy may look like, they’re no substitute for the real thing. If you think therapy might be what you need, book your free consultation now at mindplexcity.com/consultation