Becoming a Therapist

An illuminating guide to a career as a therapist written by lauded writer Ariel Leve and based on the real-life experiences of renowned psychotherapist Dr. Frederic Perlman—essential reading for anyone considering a path to this profession.

Becoming a Therapist takes you behind the scenes to find out what it’s really like, and what it really takes, to become a therapist.

The universe of mental health professionals encompasses three fields: social work, psychology, and psychiatry. Dr. Fredric Perlman is a renowned psychoanalyst with more than forty years of professional experience in the field and conducts a full-time private practice in Manhattan in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Award-winning author and journalist Ariel Leve offers a vivid portrait of the art and craft of this often rigorous but ultimately rewarding form of therapy.

The goal of psychoanalytic therapy is the promotion of the client’s self-knowledge or insight. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy requires a sustained effort over a period of time, often many years. The client must be willing to tolerate emotional distress that this process brings up and be willing to persist even when it is painful. The therapist must have the experience, skills, confidence, and emotional strength to accept the responsibilities this entails, preside over the process, and provide a safe environment in which the client is able to explore complicated feelings. The goal of this process is not to fix a problem, but to lead a more fulfilling life.

Leve reveals Dr. Perlman’s path to prominence and mastery to show how this highly specialized profession becomes a reality. Gain wisdom and insight from Dr. Perlman’s years of distinguished experience, from the years of training to practicing one on one with patients. This is how the job is performed at the highest level.