Review of My Life in 37 Therapies
by Dr Colin M. Barron M. B. Ch. B, BSCMEH, TFT-VT
I loved this book. I have had a lifelong interest in the workings of the human mind and the treatment of psychological problems. I am a former member of the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis (Scotland) and was a practising hypnotherapist between 1999 and 2016. I am also the author of a hypnotherapy textbook (‘Practical Hypnotherapy’).
However, My Life in 37 Therapies is not some dry academic text. Instead, it is a very engaging personal memoir in which Kay describes all the emotional problems she has encountered throughout her life and how she eventually overcame them with the help of a large number of alternative therapies – the ’37 Therapies’ of the title. Some of these therapies were very effective while others were not.
It is interesting to note that Kay got very little help from the NHS and this is my own personal experience. The NHS is good at helping people who suffer from a serious acute illness but falls down badly in the treatment of common emotional problems such as lack of confidence and ‘love pain’ (the emotional upset resulting from a failed relationship). All too often, GPs , psychologists and psychiatrists put people in a pigeon – hole marked ‘depression’ or ‘anxiety’ and then treat them with highly addictive and ineffective drugs. Kay’s book shows that the answer is often to try as many different therapies as possible until you find one that works. Self – help books can also be of great value and Kay reveals that she has read lots of them.
Kay takes the reader on a journey which spans many decades, including her childhood in Greenock, her time studying music at Glasgow University, and then her well-paid high – flying career working for many prestigious organisations such as the BBC and EMI. Her writings reveal how many of her problems originated from seemingly trivial incidents in childhood and a series of dysfunctional romantic relationships. The book ends on a relatively happy note though, with Kay having found inner peace and a satisfying relationship.
I found this book to be a compelling read. I couldn’t put it down. Its underlying theme of overcoming adversity and bouncing back will appeal to many readers. I would recommend it to doctors, psychologists and ordinary members of the public who are interested in the human condition. View on Amazon Reviews