Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Lori Gottlieb

A therapist’s journey as healer and patient

Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone felt like having a late-night conversation with a friend who happens to be incredibly insightful about human behavior. It’s smart, funny, and deeply relatable, blending vulnerability with sharp psychological observations in a way that felt natural and unpretentious.

The book weaves together Gottlieb’s personal experiences in therapy with the stories of her own patients. Without giving away too many spoilers, she writes about a grieving Hollywood producer hiding behind sarcasm, a terminally ill newlywed grappling with love and loss, and many others whose struggles reminded me that everyone is dealing with something. I really appreciated how openly Gottlieb shared her own flaws—moments of heartbreak, self-doubt, and even the vulnerability of being a therapist in therapy herself.

What stood out most to me was the balance in this book. It’s entertaining without ever feeling shallow, and it manages to gently teach concepts like grief, resilience, and attachment without coming across as a lecture. I loved how seamlessly she wove in ideas from great thinkers like Viktor Frankl and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, making their fundamental ideas not only accessible but genuinely engaging.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how relevant this book is in today’s world. On one hand, therapy is becoming much more prevalent and valued in our society. But at the same time, mentioning the word “therapy” still often elicits skepticism or discomfort. What I appreciated most about Gottlieb’s approach is how she normalizes therapy. Her effortless humor definitely plays a big role in this, and even the heaviest moments had a lightness to them. For me, this book was a powerful reminder that therapy isn’t just for when things fall apart. It’s a tool to grow, process, and connect, not only with others but with yourself. Therapy isn’t about being “broken” or needing to be “fixed.” It’s about understanding yourself and others better, fostering greater self-awareness, fulfillment, and deeper relationships.

I flew through this book because it was so funny, touching, and relatable. It made me reflect on my own experiences and gave me a fresh perspective on human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. If you’ve ever been curious about what really happens in therapy or just want a deeper, more compassionate understanding of what it means to be human, I can’t recommend this book enough.

Wander & Wonder