I really did my best to complete this book, but I kept on getting flashbacks and panic attacks about my own former trauma. As I have small children at home and need to be at my best for them, and we’re currently going through a different separate family trauma, I felt it was best for my own mental and well being, and theirs, that I not complete this book in this case.

Out of respect to NetGalley and the author still wanted to leave a review on what I did read.

There was a beautiful passage on of 62 & was repeated on page 64 that really resonated with me and helped me to remember that what happened to both the author and I wasn’t either of our faults.

I hope in the future I will be in a better stage in my life to be able to complete this book, and am sad that day is not today, but would rather be honest that force myself into panic attacks just for the sake of completing the books.

Otherwise this book was beautifully written. It was done so incredibly sensitively and respectfully. Unfortunately the discussions we’re still just too much for me to address at this point in my life, and I thought I had healed enough to read this book, but I’m not quite there yet.

All the best, and love and healing to the author, though. This is an incredibly brave book and is helping me to have more of a voice in writing my own story.

Thank you MindBuck Media / Apprentice House and NetGalley for an ARC of this memoir.

Dr Stacey Hettes provides an unflinchingly honest, raw and profound memoir. Stacey is many things including a neuroscientist, professor and trauma affected person following being the victim/survivor of child a use by a trusted member of the church and family circle.

Stacey is part of a beloved university team that has worked with for many years and that feels like family, One Friday decades after the offending and after a succession of therapy from different therapists a conversation occurs at work that results in Stacey being uttered flooded.

Breakdown Saturday follows.

Enter Piper, a psychologist who begins a truly incredible professional relationship with Stacey, enabling her to commence the jagged rock face climb toward acceptance, recovery and peace.

This memoir welcomes the reader into these sessions with Piper, sharing the pain, the insights, the mind’s crazy way of protecting us with its stories and beliefs. Often hart breaking, sometimes funny and very very inspiring, I was championing for Stacey throughout this marathon. The pain that has been endured for decades, the impact this abuse has on so many corners of a survivors world and the incredible bravery, strength and so much more that Stacey highlights makes this memoir so incredibly insightful and something that needs to be read far and wide. Stacey’s memoir clearly articulates how trauma affects people and if nothing else, perhaps the reader will walk away with a better understanding of trauma and its ongoing effects, of how traumatic deductive conversations can often be.

Stacey does not protect herself, Piper or the reader from the abuse and the memories that follow.

Recalls of Stacey’s trauma / abuse are italicised throughout the book and I admit at times I skimmed these sections.
I found it fascinating being the observer of Stacey’s inner world and the fabulous way she articulates herself throughout her memoir, remembering that this is a neuroscientist who is in therapy, a person who has a highly attended understanding of the brain and I often wondered if this was a blessing or a curse for her.
As part of her homework, Piper would ask Stacey to write a letter, specifically answering a prudent question. I loved the letters Stacey wrote in response and like Piper was inspired by the beautiful responses provided.

This memoir is incredibly raw, highly insightful and a very welcomed glimpse into the relationship between Psychologist and client, in this case a neuroscientist. I have read other books and memoirs on the therapist/ client relationship but this one differs in outstanding ways. The prior knowledge contained within this therapeutic room provides a different perspective as in this case Stacey has decades of understanding of the brain that most of us likely don’t possess. I am still unsure if this was a blessing or a curse for her.

I highly recommend this book. It offers the reader a very real, no holds barred glimpse into ways sexual abuse survivors blame themselves for their abuse even when they are aware it was not their fault in any way. I felt very honoured that, in spite of Breakdown Saturday and everything before that, Stacey was brave, articulate and fearless enough to share her horrors in the hope that she helps others climb their own mountain to safety.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous memoir,

As someone who has been in therapy for the past several years due to past trauma and Complex PTSD, I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw it. When the author stands up against a colleague’s verbal assault, she ends up revealing that she was a sexual abuse survivor. With her therapist, Piper, she works through revisiting her trauma and memories of her abuse. The author is a strong, resilient woman and that personality resonated throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mindbuck Media for a review copy of this book.

Dispatches from the Coach

Can the human brain be rewired? Can someone ever really recover from childhood sexual trauma? Stacey’s story would tend to give a person hope. An emotional crisis brings Stacey, a neuroscience professor, into psychotherapy as she deals with some horrible memories from her youth. How she finds joy in the midst of darkness makes a compelling story.

DISPATCHES FROM THE COUCH
BY: DR. STACEY HETTES

This was such an incredible, way above average, well written debut I can't recommend it highly enough. I just happened to discover it by chance, and it exceeded my highest expectations in how authentic and moving it is. I have never read anything like this before where the Author, has such a warm heart and shared how deeply affected and devastating early childhood sexual abuse can cause so much harm and self loathing. As I write this my heart still hurts for how much mental anguish she and her family suffered as a result from a predator who was a Deacon, and trusted family friend at the time this occurred. The lasting impact that survivors of this traumatic experience is upsetting to me as I write this now because I feel that this author's courageous memoir is so powerful and I'm remembering how hard she fought to overcome the self hatred and shame that wasn't ever her fault. She does mention that whenever we write down our feelings we process our emotions and I'm noticing how sad I feel since I am having a harder time writing about her struggles than actually reading this memoir. I'm not a victim, or survivor of sexual abuse, but I have suffered childhood trauma with a capital T, and I have so much empathy, and admiration for Dr. Stacey Hettes's brutally honest depiction of how when we think that we've overcome our battles that they can resurface when we least expect it. The way our childhood brains are wired even though we have been traumatized in vastly different circumstances I totally connected to how she felt like it was her fault because I share that same self blame even when we intellectually know it's not our fault in order to heal we have to emotionally overcome that obstacle which is easier said than done. It is extremely difficult the amount of effort it takes but we have to be committed to give it all we have and it takes longer than most people realize, but as she has generously shared in her debut that with enough determination towards never giving up there is hope.

Honestly, I have to say that I didn't expect to be so affected that I would be currently reliving her story as I am finding this review to be harder for me to deal with her pain now than while I read it. She's so lovable with how sensitive she is towards others that she is thoughtful enough to place her Author's Note at the beginning to prepare the reader that this content can trigger others and also lets the reader know that the disturbing details that she includes will be written using italicization. This was a memoir that I was on the fence about reading even though I had changed my major of Pre-med as an undergraduate I remember the Neuroscience of how the brain is wired both anatomically and how it functions as well as I have an extensive background which I excelled in psychology courses, which was what drew me to read this in the first place. The fact that the subtitle states: A Neuroscientist and Her Therapist Conspire to Reboot Her Brain, had me hesitate for a long time from picking this up since I thought it would be dry and I wanted to read a story about the psychological therapeutic process from a more human angle. In other words, I expected the psychological modality to be more about Neuroscience which I wasn't sure I was in the mood for at this time. I couldn't have been more wrong about my preconception because it's subtitle is misleading, and I was not prepared to be rewarded with so much humanity since it was written in the format of the kind of approach once you get three chapters in with the rest of this memoir written to be completely dialogue laden chapters of sessions between the patient who is Dr. Stacey Hettes, Neuroscientist with her Therapist, Piper. Both women are lovable, and ultra sensitive towards each other. Each committed towards staying the course of the goal of Stacey's overwhelming journey that realistically has her reliving her trauma that was almost too vivid with her painful exploration of trying overcome her self hatred, and shame. It's so profound and powerfully written that it impacted me more while reflecting on it, than it did while reading it which amazes me. It's not transcripts of the sessions with Piper, but it certainly feels so raw and honest that I felt it's rare to be so convincing of how trauma affects the mind and body. It was exactly the type of memoir that I was hoping to read. It reminds me of the cliche that had me saying to myself to be careful what you wish for. It's so relatable that it is the closest you'll ever come to witnessing the pain and isolation that childhood trauma plays out between a therapist and a patient recreating the real therapeutic relationship giving you insight into how each interact during a session. Piper is the most capable, understanding Therapist, who is perfectly suited to Stacey's sensitivities regarding being equipped to help lovable Stacey's arduous journey of reliving and trying to make sense of trying to understand how she is right back to at beginning, trying to find answers by using her intellect which shows how sometimes we need to change the questions.

A BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN RESOURCE AND A VALUABLE MEMOIR THAT WILL INSPIRE & INFORM ALL TRAUMA SURVIVORS!

Publication Date: May 13, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Dr. Stacey Hettes and Mindbuck Media/Apprentice House for generously providing me with my Spectacular ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always

#DispatchesFromtheCouch #DrStaceyHettes #MindbuckMedia #ApprenticeHouse #NetGalley

Absolutely brilliant and definitely a must read for anyone who suffered from sexual abuse. It is affirming and helps with understanding. Very well done.

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.