The No1 Ethical retailer for Books, CD’s, DVD’s & Games
30 Day Refund Guarantee

Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy

Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy

by PhilippaPerry (Author), JunkoGraat (Illustrator)

  • Used

    Paperback 2010

    $14.68
Synopsis

This is not a text book. This compelling case study in the form of a graphic novel vividly explores a year's therapy sessions as a search for understanding and truth. Told in a witty and thought-provoking manner, each engagingly illustrated scene is accompanied by deft commentary. Based on a case study of Pat (our sandal-wearing, cat-loving psychotherapist) and her new client, James (an ambitious barrister with a potentially harmful habit he can't stop), this graphic novel follows the anxieties, frustrations, mind-wanderings and break-throughs of each, through a year of therapy sessions together.

Beautifully illustrated and accompanied by succinct and illuminating footnotes, this book offers a witty and thought-provoking exploration of the therapeutic journey, considering a range of skills, insights and techniques along the way. Whether a student, professional, or client, this is an accessible and entertaining read for anyone interested in psychotherapy.

$14.68

Save:$1.76 (11%)

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 156
 Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Published: 29 Apr 2010
ISBN 10: 0230252036
ISBN 13: 9780230252035
Book Overview: 'Philippa Perry's cute and clever graphic novel aims to be both an entertaining work of fiction and an introduction to psychotherapy...Perry's form suits her mission, Junko Graat's cheerful black and white sketches rendering the dreams, thoughts and alter egos that circulate around Pat's sofa...It's an appealing accessible read - perfect for a waiting room.' - The Guardian 'If you've got even a passing interest in psychotherapy you'll want to read this graphic novel three times, at least.' - Time Out 'I loved it. I smiled and laughed. And nodded. One to read for sure.' - Susie Orbach, author and columnist '...set to capture the attention of the capital's culture vultures.' - Evening Standard 'Funtastic: How therapy works with all the fun of a cartoon.' - Oliver James is a clinical psychologist, author and broadcaster 'Perry delivers that rarity: an edifying page-turner.' - The Scotsman 'Philippa Perry has succeeded brilliantly in demystifying the complexities of the psychotherapeutic encounter by demonstrating not only something about the private conversations which transpire in the consulting room, but also by revealing the hidden thought processes in the mind of both the client and the psychotherapist. Her beautifully illustrated book Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy will be essential reading for anybody contemplating therapy, and would make an ideal gift for friends and colleagues.' - Professor Brett Kahr, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Psychotherapy and Mental Health at the Centre for Child Mental Health, London, and Honorary Visiting Professor at Roehampton University. 'The charming pictures show psychotherapy working; the witty and brilliant notes explain how and why.' - Dr Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats 'It is a rare thing to find such an informative and accessible book. Recommended as a good way to get a picture of what happens in psychotherapy.' - Diana Shmukler, Visiting Professor of Psychotherapy, Middlesex University, and formerly Associate Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa '...this funny and enjoyable book will become required reading for psychotherapy students and would benefit anyone with even a casual interest in psychotherapy. Those who are thinking of consulting a therapist might 'dip their toe in' here, as might any lover of graphic fiction who relishes evesdropping on the lives of others...' - Paul Gravett, Graphic Medicine

Media Reviews
'Philippa Perry's cute and clever graphic novel aims to be both an entertaining work of fiction and an introduction to psychotherapy...Perry's form suits her mission, Junko Graat's cheerful black and white sketches rendering the dreams, thoughts and alter egos that circulate around Pat's sofa...It's an appealing accessible read - perfect for a waiting room.' - The Guardian 'If you've got even a passing interest in psychotherapy you'll want to read this graphic novel three times, at least.' - Time Out 'I loved it. I smiled and laughed. And nodded. One to read for sure.' - Susie Orbach, author and columnist '...set to capture the attention of the capital's culture vultures.' - Evening Standard 'Funtastic: How therapy works with all the fun of a cartoon.' - Oliver James is a clinical psychologist, author and broadcaster 'Perry delivers that rarity: an edifying page-turner.' - The Scotsman 'Philippa Perry has succeeded brilliantly in demystifying the complexities of the psychotherapeutic encounter by demonstrating not only something about the private conversations which transpire in the consulting room, but also by revealing the hidden thought processes in the mind of both the client and the psychotherapist. Her beautifully illustrated book Couch Fiction: A Graphic Tale of Psychotherapy will be essential reading for anybody contemplating therapy, and would make an ideal gift for friends and colleagues.' - Professor Brett Kahr, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Psychotherapy and Mental Health at the Centre for Child Mental Health, London, and Honorary Visiting Professor at Roehampton University. 'The charming pictures show psychotherapy working; the witty and brilliant notes explain how and why.' - Dr Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats 'It is a rare thing to find such an informative and accessible book. Recommended as a good way to get a picture of what happens in psychotherapy.' - Diana Shmukler, Visiting Professor of Psychotherapy, Middlesex University, and formerly Associate Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa '...this funny and enjoyable book will become required reading for psychotherapy students and would benefit anyone with even a casual interest in psychotherapy. Those who are thinking of consulting a therapist might 'dip their toe in' here, as might any lover of graphic fiction who relishes evesdropping on the lives of others...' - Paul Gravett, Graphic Medicine 'I've read hundreds of books about therapy and this is among the best...it has a wicked sense of humour and a great sense of style. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever considered therapy but been afraid to ask, for therapists who want to remind themselves why their profession matters and to anyone tempted to say that therapy is nonsense...' Alain de Botton, The Times 'Couch Fiction is one of the most unusual graphic novels that I had read recently and it is also one of the best.' - Bookgeeks.co.uk '...funny and irreverent, but it also answers many of the questions people have about what therapy is, and how it works...' - The Observer 'In a departure from the graphic novel format, Perry adds a technical analysis of the thoughts and actions of her characters underneath the panels. This analysis adds a layer not usually present in a graphic novel, giving a more in depth understanding of the psychiatric issues discussed.' - The Guardian Science Blog '...extols the virtues of psychoanalysis with warmth and gentle humour...' - Deborah Orr, The Guardian 'Couch Fiction has a mischievous humour that means it would make a great stocking filler for a therapist friend this Christmas. However, this graphic novella can also be recommended for its genuine educational value, which would make it a good text for any introductorycounselling course.' - Therapy Today 'This tale of psychotherapy in graphic novel form is nicely done. The footnotes explaining technical terms and ideas comment not only on why Patricia does what she does, but also what mistakes she makes. It is an instructive guide to modern psychotherapy that will appeal not only to those who know nothing about it but also those who have been in therapy already. The book is a quick and enjoyable read, and the graphic form provides an emphasis on the two different perspectives of therapist and client that would be hard to achieve with prose alone. It's a nice depiction of ordinary parts of therapy that often go unmentioned.' - Christian Perring, Professor of Philosophy, Dowling College,USA,Metapsychology Online Reviews
Author Bio
PHILIPPA PERRY (author) is a psychotherapist, psychotherapy supervisor and a fine art graduate living and practising in London. She is married to the artist Grayson Perry.

JUNKO GRAAT (illustrator) trained and worked as a graphic designer in Japan and came to England to study European horticulture. As well as illustrating this tale of psychotherapy, Junko is a landscape designer/gardener and has also designed Japanese hieroglyphics for some of Grayson's work. Junko is married to the gardener and furniture maker, Chris Graat.

ANDREW SAMUELS (afterword) is Professor of Analytical Psychology at Essex University and holds visiting chairs at New York, London and Roehampton universities. In addition to private practice as a Jungian Analyst, he works internationally with parties and leaders as a political consultant. Organisational and corporate clients include Tesco, Nokia, DelMonte, Ford, Everton FC, City of Tokyo, and the NHS. His most recent book was the award-winning Politics on the Couch.