Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

In Dispatches from the Couch, Stacey Hettes takes readers on an incredibly raw and powerful journey through her experience as a neuroscientist confronting her past trauma. Written with honesty and vulnerability, this memoir blends the professional and personal, as Hettes explores her work in neuroscience alongside her healing process through therapy. The unique aspect of this book is Hettes' collaboration with her therapist, Piper, to unearth and heal the wounds of her past, specifically stemming from sexual abuse.

Hettes does an exceptional job of capturing the complexity of trauma and the often challenging path to healing. She opens up about the shame, isolation, and emotional labor involved in revisiting painful memories, all while demonstrating a commitment to reclaiming her sense of self. Her narrative is not just about the past but also about the courage to move forward and find peace. The scientific lens she brings to the discussion adds depth to the emotional and psychological aspects of her journey, offering readers both a personal and intellectual perspective on the healing process.

This memoir is a testament to the power of therapy, vulnerability, and the pursuit of self-compassion. Hettes’ bravery in sharing such a personal story makes it a compelling read, one that will resonate deeply with anyone who has navigated trauma, shame, or the intricacies of personal growth. Dispatches from the Couch is both enlightening and inspiring, leaving readers with a sense of hope and a greater understanding of the delicate yet transformative process of healing.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Good read. Interesting what other people experience, it made me feel as though I am not alone.

Well written with a good pace, entertaining.

I wasn't to sure what to think of this book when I first started mostly because I wasn't completely sure how it was going to read. Was it going to be super jumpy and choppy? Was it going to be stale and clinical in its wording or was it going to be super compelling and thought-provoking? This really has the potential to go either way and I'm very glad to say that in my books it was definitely the later. This was unlike any other memoir I've ever read before as our main character confronts her past abuse and her childhood mishaps through her therapeutic journey. The more that she starts to open up in therapy and the more progress that she makes the more that we learn as a reader. It was very different to see a memoir written that way instead of the first hand accounts it's almost like we are listening to her tell her therapist as a fly on the way and putting it all together. The writing of this book was amazing and not over the top and the flow, even though the were multiple things going on at all times, it was very easy to follow as a reader. While this wasn't at all what I was expecting from the cover of this book it was still very interesting book and I'm so glad I got the chance to check it out. It was almost like we were the therapist in this story swing the clients reveal. Excellent writing and the flow was perfect nothing felt rushed or lagged at all. Very good book and while very different than I'm used to reading I still enjoyed this one. What I didn't like about this book was I found it a bit clinical at times in the beginning instead of reading like a novel it read like a textbook. However once I got over that hurdle it really started to come together. Even though this wasn't a long book it took me a while to get through and some parts were super dry. Not at all what I was expecting from this kind of memoir. While there were parts I didn't like overall I think that it was a pretty good read just very different that I was expecting.

Engaging and accessible. A recommended purchase for collections where memoirs and psychology are popular.

Dispatches from the Couch by Stacey Hettes is a raw and candid memoir that invites readers into the author’s journey of confronting past trauma. After an emotional moment at a forum forces her to publicly acknowledge her history as a sexual abuse survivor, Stacey revisits her fractured childhood and the complex layers of therapy that follow. With honesty and vulnerability, Hettes explores the painstaking process of unraveling shame and loneliness through therapy, ultimately showing the promise of healing. This book is a powerful reflection on the difficulty and importance of facing one’s past in order to reclaim control over the present.

I enjoyed this title and thought the story about a woman and her therapist was a suitable topic. The writing is excellent, and the book flowed well. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.