• Tales from the Couch

  • A Clinical Psychologist's True Stories of Psychopathology
  • By: Dr. Bob Wendorf
  • Narrated by: Bob Reed
  • Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (549 ratings)

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Tales from the Couch

By: Dr. Bob Wendorf
Narrated by: Bob Reed
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Publisher's summary

Tales from the Couch is collection of actual case studies and a primer on psychopathology as well as a captivating reflection on the human condition. Drawn from Dr. Bob Wendorf's 36-year career as a clinical psychologist, the book examines the lives of some of his most troubled patients in a project that aims to both educate and fascinate the listener. Clinical syndromes are described and dramatized by real-life case examples (altered only as necessary to protect patient confidentiality). Each of the 16 chapters focuses on a particular psychiatric diagnosis, including multiple personality disorder, Asperger's, and ADD.

The clinical picture and symptoms are described and explained, then brought to life by case examples taken from the author's practice. Dr. Wendorf presents the cases as a series of narratives - some dramatic, some humorous, most quite poignant. Along the way, the author offers his own reactions to the people and events described here and application to the general human condition as well.

Tales from the Couch offers compelling stories of extraordinary people, clinical conditions, and events - both in and out of the therapy hour - while providing insights into the nature of human beings, mental illness, and the psychotherapeutic enterprise.

©2015 Bob Wendorf (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Tales from the Couch

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Oddly offensive

Detected racist language, *sad face*. I don’t really enjoy the author’s analysis honestly- the stories and his life are amazing, sure- however the part of the gangsters in the ghetto is what lost me.
I get others may love this audiobook, it may be their taste in language, the stories themselves are interesting and even the man himself graduated from my university- but still left a bad taste in my mouth.

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11 people found this helpful

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Extremely Outdated

If you are reading for entertainment, then this is a good book. If you are interested in psychology or someone in the field, this uses outdated concepts and unethical psychological practices..... I wouldn't recommend it as a model for anything except for tidbits of information, and maybe some examples of what not to do.

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11 people found this helpful

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Self-Important Drivel

Long ramblings of a psychologist with a savior complex who blurs client boundaries and seems to revel in the exploitation. Gross.

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11 people found this helpful

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What a horrible therapist

If I were to read this book before I found a really great therapist, I don’t think I would ever pursued or worked towards getting help. This therapist is a hack and a shame to the profession.

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9 people found this helpful

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A Sad, Sad Excuse for a Therapist

I could not finish this book. It hurt my heart to think of this man's patients. He has no positive regard for them, little empathy, and no skill at all for helping them explore their pain and grow beyond it. I was shocked and sickened at the ways he dealt with people who came to him in need of help. In one case, he actually recommended that a mother deal with her troubled little boy by spanking him with a switch. In another case, he refers to a woman as the person from a previous chapter "who lost 100 pounds for me". WHAT? He thinks that was for HIM? No one needs such a patronizing, egotistical "therapist". I don't know if this man is still in practice, but he certainly shouldn't be. If you're looking for an account of a caring therapist leading his patients to healing, don't bother to read this book.

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8 people found this helpful

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Author seems FOS

Author is rather dismissive and disrespectful of particular diagnosis. He acts like he’s an MD and a PhD when he is simply a PsyD with no hard sciences background.

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7 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars

terrible

offensive. I couldn't finish this terrible book. this therapist is a narcissist and im glad he's not my provider.

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6 people found this helpful

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presumptuous and condescending

interesting at times, with potentially fascinating stories, the author's pessimism and and sarcasm are disappointing

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5 people found this helpful

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Outdated

It is interesting to hear about this therapists’ clients, but it’s disappointing to hear him use outdated, racist language and to hear him advocate for threatening children to be spanked with a switch as an intervention for a child’s bed wetting. It was at that point in the story that I had to stop listening.

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4 people found this helpful

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Case study in how far *I hope* this field has come

The human stories are interesting, as is the glimpse into psychology 30 years ago. But, and it's a BIG but, I seriously hope no one is reading this for advice, compassion, and certainly not parenting or counseling guidance. The narration is great, I just wish the narrator was given a book written in an inclusive and trauma informed way.

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3 people found this helpful