The book is good in that it weaves the stories and struggles of those the author considers ‘psychological heroes’ (people who overcame huge odds to get better through years of therapy), giving their present-day status, as well as an honest look at the process of and limitations of any therapeutic endeavor, the author retelling her own thoughts without sounding like a know-it-all. It's an excavation for her too.

- The case histories of Laura (alcoholic father), Peter (fighting impotency), Danny (cultural castration and grief) and Alana (abuse) are shocking, frightening, gut-wrenching, inspiring and intriguing on multiple levels. They also give a bird’s eye view of a different side of Canada, of various ethnicities and identitites. (I don’t know whether the names have been changed or not.)

- The con in the book is the last case / client ‘Madeline Arlington’ (the title of the book refers to her problem - as well as probably a generic double entendre for all the psychological issues - 'monster' - one has to face head-on to get well.) Her story was under-whelming especially considering the author's decades in psychotherapy career.) Maybe it was included for the educational value of the transference angle.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC and to the author.

I thought this book was very interesting and the stories of the patients enthralling if horrific. I like books were people become stronger for their experiences and this book is completely that. Very raw and emotional. I'm glad all those people gave her consent to use their stories. The one think I didn't like quite as much were the references to the authors other books and vague mentions of her own story. If I have't read those books then I have no idea what she's talking about and it was a little bit confusing.

A version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.

Any doubt that seeking therapy is courageous will be put to rest by the patient profiles detailed in Good Morning, Monster. Catherine Gildiner is a clinical psychologist and author of a trilogy of memoirs (including Coming Ashore). As pseudo-memoirist for five of her most layered and poignant clients, Gildiner clearly demonstrates the value of analysis, the resilience of the human spirit and the vast generosity of sharing one's life story.

The patients vary in culture, socio-economic background and temperament. Within their treatments, Gildiner highlights tools available to clinicians to facilitate acknowledgment and change. Despite these interesting instructive moments, Good Morning, Monster is not aimed at academics; rather, it provides a window for the lay person to bear witness to the most intimate of processes.

The levels of despair and dreadfulness underlying each of the five stories can't be overstated. There is abuse, violence and neglect of every gradient. But there is also growth, buoyancy and wonderful wit and humor ("Laura" on intimacy: "Christ! Why not just dance naked in the streets?").

Gildiner is a talented narrator and admirably summarizes years of sessions without the accounts feeling choppy or incomplete. She's also wonderfully frank about her own mistakes and misreads as a psychologist, and she is quick to seek outside guidance when beneficial (finding cultural resources to aid a Cree man, for example). With hard work, each client reckons with the demons they wake with each morning, even when they've been told they themselves are the monster.

STREET SENSE: Anyone interested in the human mind and the resilience of the spirit in the face of extreme adversity, sign up for this one. It's really beautifully done, and while at times a difficult read (due to subject matter, not the writing), the payoff is worth it. Talk therapy can be a lot of work and results can come at a cost, but the value really can't be overstated. Get yourself in there, yo. Everyone could use a little help.

A FAVORITE PASSAGE: I'm going to include a few, about the case of Laura, who came in due to stress. Her resistance to therapy and the ultimate lengths taken by the author to break through feel like a good microcosm of how hard therapy can be, but how finding the right person to talk to can be magic.

Laura came in completely shut down, unwilling to share her story. She just wanted help with stress:

"When I said that I was empathizing with her, she rebuffed me. 'That’s what you say to people when someone dies. Listen, Doctor, if I’m ever to come back here, I never want you to do that again, or I’ll walk out. Keep your empathy or whatever it is to yourself.' 'Why?' I asked, genuinely puzzled. 'When you say things about feelings, I see a door opening that’s full of hobgoblins and I am never going to enter that room,' she said emphatically. 'I have to keep going. If I ever started to wallow, even once, I’d drown. Plus, it doesn’t make things any better.'"

Laura's story eventually started coming out, even though she was in denial about her past:

"When I asked how she felt about being abandoned, Laura looked at me as though I were being melodramatic. She said, 'We weren’t exactly abandoned. My dad knew I was there to deal with things.' 'You were nine years old, penniless and alone in a forest. What would you call it?' I said. 'I guess technically it was abandonment, but my dad had to get out of Bobcaygeon. He didn’t want to leave us. He had no choice.'"

I loved Laura because she was a fucking hard nut with an awesome sense of humor. You should read this book just to get to know Laura. She eventually came to terms with her demons, but not before Gildiner took her on a field trip to an elementary school where she saw the lives of REAL 9-year-old girls. Who were skipping rope and playing foursquare, not caring for younger siblings alone in a fucking forest. It was one of the most powerful things I've ever read.

COVER NERD SAYS: This cover is beautiful. I suppose I get the symbolism of the swan, and it's as good a choice as any for the cover of a book dealing with transformation. The connection to the text is symbolic, but it really just doesn't matter because it's pretty and well done. Minimalist, eye-catching, subtitle helps make it fairly obvious what's inside. Winner.

Thank you Penguin Random Canada and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Catherine Gildiner is a psychologist and her book takes the reader through the therapeutic journey of five of her most heroic clients. These clients have overcome enormous trauma and this wonderful book details how, through their therapy this journey occurred.

If you love reading about the human mind, resilience and Therapeutic practices this book is for you.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this great book.

Catherine Gildiner shares the stories of 5 clients/heroes in her latest book Good Morning, Monster. These people are absolutely heroes and warriors and I was in awe of their stories. Gildiner a psychologist for over 25 years details the treatment she provided and the journey these 5 clients faced as they opened up on their path to recovery. As someone who works in the social services field I was very invested in hearing these stories and how each story progressed. These stories were not always easy to hear as the clients experienced trauma and abuse. What prevailed in all cases though was stories of resiliency, of survival and with making peace with your past so you can move forward. The power of therapy for these 5 people healed them. It was not always easy but they made it through to the other side. I really enjoyed this insightful book as Gildiner also talks about the tactics she used in therapy and how she often made mistakes herself in treating people. This is a great read for anyone working in the industry or wanting to learn more about how people can be supported and helped through the most traumatic experiences. Thanks for everyone who shared their stories in this book.
I received this free copy for review from Netgalley and the publisher but my review is all from the heart.

I enjoyed this book. I love reading about other people’s journeys and how they overcome their demons. Highly recommend this book

I liked this book a lot. This psychologist writes on 5 of her patients.
It's a very interesting read. I liked reading about each case and
seeing what it took to help these people. I enjoyed reading about
her work and seeing what it took to turn things around for these
people. Thank you so much, Netgalley, Catherine Gildiner and
her Publisher for this amazing read!

Dr. Catherine Gildiner tells the stories of her 5 most memorable patients on their road to recovery.
Each story starts off the same, with a mystery, why is this person the way they are, what happened in his or her life that has set them on this course.

The way Dr Gildiner unfolds each story, each life experience and then explains the action and reaction was fascinating.
This is the kind of book that can make you think you could be a therapist ... or make you think you need therapy.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley!!

This book contains five moving stories a therapist has put together about her patients. Each story is about one of her patients "heroic recovery."

I'm a huge fan of stories that tell personal experineces in the medical or psych field. so this was right up my alley.
These five patients have overcome some enormous trauma. EAch story recounts their experience, their treatment, and how this helped the therapist grow as well.

I could feel each patient's struggle and hurt. this truly is an amazing read.