I love this book. It really in no BS. I'm tired of flowery affirmations and mindful meditations. I just need someone to remind me to get out of my own way some days. It's about being real and ptactical.

Loved the concept, there should be tons more books out there like this.

I liked the premise of this being a "no BS guide", an innovative approach to the traditional style of therapy. It promised to be real, to the point and easy. It certainly delivered on those aspects.
Following his divorce, former screenwriter turned therapist John Kim started blogging as 'The Angry Therapist' reflecting on his "F***ng Feelings". His blog evolved into an online life coaching community. What makes Kim's methods stand out from the standard therapist/psychologist etc. is the fact that he is transparent, i.e. he actually shares personal stories and feelings with clients. I found that immensely refreshing, and some of Kim's background and experience that he divulges throughout the book were really interesting and probably the highlights of the book for me. The subject of transparency goes against everything I was taught during my training, but I believe Kim is onto something here.
Some of his other ideas/approaches (the container, pseudo self versus solid etc.) you may well have come across before if you have an interest in psychology, mental health or self-help. Kim's no-nonsense style makes the book easy to read and follow, and it is very user-friendly with its helpful exercises and summaries. On a personal level, I got the most out of his ideas about non-negotiables. Need to work on those...
Overall, this is a useful guide if you're looking to make effective changes in your life and it provides readers with some helpful strategies in a straightforward way, it really is a no BS guide.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.

With the negativity associated with anger, a question remained: can an angry therapist really help anyone at all? “The Angry Therapist: A No BS Guide to Finding and Living Your Own Truth” is written by John Kim, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Los Angeles, CA. In the introduction Kim compared self-help books to bacon: they were fat, slippery, greasy, and easy to forget. He hopes readers will find his book a positive informative change from the self-help genre often represented.

In his 30’s, John Kim and his wife were pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. Kim also helped turn his parent’s Korean restaurant into a Hollywood night spot frequented by A-list celebrities. Still, he and his wife separated and divorced. During this time, while writing/blogging for therapeutic reasons, Kim realized he truly enjoyed helping others--and completed a MA in Psychology.

Through Kim’s 6 year employment at a facility for disadvantaged youth, he saw that the majority of students had no relationships with a father figure that is necessary for healthy development. Kim became their role model/father figure. The boys were challenging and aggressive; the girls wanted his attention and didn’t understand boundaries: viewing him as a father or sexual figure, or both.
Following the Korean cultural norm, Kim’s father had been a workaholic. A very aloof man, he hadn’t ever taken him to a sporting event, or had a meaningful conversation offering fatherly advice or wisdom—he was also an alcoholic. Kim vowed he would be a good father for his own child someday.

The “JK Method” that defined his therapeutic community, stressed that changes must not be like a fad diet or temporary New Year’s Resolutions. Kim illustrates that life spaces are “containers” that must be built and maintained in various levels and areas. Growth must be a daily practice for it to be sustainable, transparency also fosters a necessary trust in regards to truthful living. Aside from occasional profanity, a longer autobiographical profile would have fostered greater interest and transparency. Kim’s story, quotes, and suggestions represent an original, sincere, and authentic approach for motivational change and development. Kim is to be commended for forming an accessible online therapeutic community. Many thanks to Parallax Press with NetGalley for the direct digital copy for purpose of review.

The description of this book appealed to me a lot - “A no BS guide to finding and living your own truth”. There is nothing else for me to add to that description. This book is all that and more.

While reading the book, the major thing that endeared me to John was his transparency and openness about his story. It is weird but I felt safe considering how to implement his self-help strategies. I reckon it is because he gives a lot of examples from his life that are relatable.

At the end of each chapter, he provides practices for the reader to undertake. Don’t worry, they are short and introspective. It may be hard to initially do them, but they get easier with each chapter.

It is such a short and powerful book that is instrumental to helping you accept yourself and then embark on changes you want to implement in your life.

Rating: 4.5/5

Favourite Quote: “The highest currency you’ll ever have is self awareness. Without it, it’s impossible to know what you need to change.”

This book is for people who are fundamentally nice but have trouble being true to themselves. Since I'm pretty much the opposite of that, it wasn't helpful for me.

The Angry Therapist is a blunt, personable, and hearty read. I'd recommend it to anyone who's in a transitional period or needs a boost of confidence.