This book really peaked my interest when I read the synopsis. Who doesn't want to peek behind the curtain into someone's private thoughts and desires to see what people really want deep down. I really enjoyed the patient stories. In my opinion it was the best part of the book. The way the Charlotte Weber dissects each patients desires made it easy to understand peoples human nature. I will say there were parts of the book that were repetitive and drawn out. Overall, I'd give this book 3.5/5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, Atria Books, and Charlotte Fox Weber for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC of "Tell Me What You Want".

I would rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars for a few reasons:

- I enjoyed the patient stories, but they did seem to drag on for a bit. I felt like the author could have used less words to get to the meat of the story a lot quicker. However, like I said, I did love each patient story. Each one was so different and, at the end of the day, it did relate well to each chapter topic.

- This might have just been an ARC issue, but the chapters looked really jumbled together in the ebook. No matter how I changed the spacing, font or font size, everything was pushed together. For me, that made it a smidge more difficult to read thoroughly (and quickly).

- I enjoyed the author's journey through each chapter. It's a really vulnerable look at patients, sure, it's also a dive into this specific therapist's mind with each patient. As a former student of psychology, I really appreciated the transparency.

Overall, a good read - just knocked it down a few stars for the above reasons!

Looking behind the curtain of a therapist's office is a popular genre at this moment, understandably! What I do enjoy about this is the therapist's perspective as well as speaking to many topics that humans struggle with, and desire to figure out or overcome. Books such as these do provide access to a broader population looking for some guidance around mental health. Overall, another solid book into the therapist's world. with their clients.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

This book takes on large themes using client examples and a therapist's perspective to make the kinds of generalizations that look good on a social media post. I had a mixed experience reading this book. I was drawn in by Charlotte Fox Weber's self of the therapist reflections and how she demonstrated the importance of the therapeutic relationship over any specific intervention. I appreciated how she de-mystified and normalized some of the challenges that we face as therapists and showed her position with vulnerability and authenticity. I was also repelled by a lot of the summarizing that she did to expound on certain points. Much of those read like a series of cliches and platitudes. She's clearly a well-educated and intelligent woman, and I doubt she sounds like that in sessions (she certainly didn't in her depictions of her sessions), so I'm not sure why all that was necessary. Was that what was supposed to make the book appeal to the masses? A marketing necessity? I'm not sure, but for me it served as a detraction. All in all, it was a decent read. Not my favorite therapist-written book but certainly not my least favorite either.

A fascinating look at psychotherapy, presented through the eyes of a therapist. The author opens the door to actual therapy sessions, recounting the conversations, the issues, and the insights.

She helps her clients to recognize that deep desires linger behind whatever issue they are struggling with. Understanding the desire allows them to reframe the situation and indicates the path towards action, acceptance, and happiness.

The book is structured as an exploration of twelve desires held to some degree by everyone. These are the longings, either known or subconscious, which inevitably either make or break us as humans.

Nearly everyone struggles with at least one of these desires, such as love, power, attention, and freedom. But the commonality of our yearnings belies the uniqueness of our individual circumstances. And untangling the web of facts and feelings that mask our desires is a formidable task. The author illustrates some of the approaches that have been effective for those she counsels.

The clients she uses as examples in the book are not all lovable, especially at first glance. Some are engaged in activities, or at least in thoughts of activities, that are not admirable. But the author/therapist shows us their humanity and offers explanations for how and why they became who they are.

By questioning, challenging, and educating, she guides each client to awareness of what they really want. The answer to this core question does not solve the problems, but shifts the perspective so that new solutions can present themselves. (Although sometimes the answer for the client is just to find a way to live through a difficult time.)

I wish that Charlotte Fox Weber were my therapist. She is intelligent and compassionate. She is honest and kind and completely accepting. And she uses insight to banish shame.

She also is generous enough to increase our understanding by admitting her own mistakes. There are times when she makes the wrong assumption or misinterprets what someone is trying to tell her. She has found herself inadvertently pursuing her own goals rather than what is best for her client. Yes, she likes some clients more than others. And have you ever wondered if therapists find their minds wandering as you tell a long story? They try not to, but yes, they do.

I highly recommend this book. It is perfect for those who enjoyed “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” or “Group”. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, available on April 22, 2023.

My thanks to the author, to Atria Books, and to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

What a powerful, incredibly poignant book. This isn't just a book about therapy, it's a book about being human. About living, and connection - with others, ourselves, our feelings, life - and about how we learn from each other.

Fair warning: If you read this, be prepared to cry, and more than once. But (for me at least) it was the good kind of crying, because these are stories of letting go and acceptance and healing, so the crying is the sort that leaves you feeling vulnerable but washed clean, like after a storm, peaceful and full of hope.

Tell Me What You Want
A Therapist and Her Clients Explore Our 12 Deepest Desires
by Charlotte Fox Weber
I had not read any book by Ms.Weber until this one, but I will. She gives very insightful knowledge and the book was not preachy. It was in fact an eye-opening book. A few had me in the chair as she spoke to her clients. Very well written and even the definitions of the words are. I enjoyed the book and the 12 cases.