Coming October 8, 2024

What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist is not just a book—it’s a transformative experience.

Pre-order now available

What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist shares the unforgettable stories of three patients in intensive therapy. Michelle, a dedicated psychotherapist, struggles with an addiction to people-pleasing and perfectionism while being tethered to opioids by mysterious chronic pain. After her own transformative odyssey, Michelle helps two troubled patients, Walter and Emma. Walter confronts the shadows of crippling depression and an intimate attachment to cannabis, while Emma yearns for a relationship but is stymied by her haunting fear of vulnerability. Within the sacred confines of intensive therapy sessions, their stories intertwine, creating a sanctuary for profound revelation.

Through these stories, the profound truth emerges–that the unspoken holds the power to shape our healing journey. What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist serves as a testament to the power of intensive therapy, inviting us to confront the depths of our unspoken truths and unlock the hidden pathways to profound transformation.

Praise

"This book is like no other. At once personal and universal, What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist is filled with stories that move, enlighten, and challenge us to look within. These stories instruct and illuminate what it means to be human—to struggle and flail and, with help, to heal. Michelle M. May is a gifted communicator. With profound compassion, she has been able to shed light on both the causes and remedies for much of our emotional suffering. In the acknowledgements, May quotes C. S. Lewis, who also said, 'We read to know we’re not alone.' That is what this book is all about."

—Patricia Coughlin, PhD, author of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy

“Michelle M. May candidly shares her personal experiences and insights, allowing readers to connect with the heartfelt narratives. This book also provides a profound understanding of the intricate and personal processes involved in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), creating an intersection between science and humanity. Michelle’s words, flowing from her heart, will deeply resonate with readers, touching them directly as they delve into the book.”

— Nima Ghorbani, PhD, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Tehran; Certified Supervisor of ISTDP; and author of Joyful Madness and Self-Narrated by Self (in Persian)

“With this book, Michelle M. May joins the ranks of the great therapy storytellers, including Yalom, Havens, and Greenberg. Her narratives shed light on the moment-by-moment clinical thinking of an advanced dynamic therapist, and she takes the reader even deeper by sharing her own experience and development as a person in therapy. The book balances engagingly told clinical tales with clear explanations of complex psychodynamic concepts, and for this reason it will be an absorbing and educational read for both advanced and novice clinicians.”

— Maury Joseph, PsyD, ISTDP Training Program faculty, New Washington School of Psychiatry, and Certified Trainer and Supervisor, International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association

“A poignant, pithy, and psychologically sound read highlighting three lives, including the author’s, which adds a compelling depth that is uniquely captivating. I highly recommend it for both readers who want to improve their lives for lasting change and for clinicians alike.”

—Tami Chelew, LMFT, President, International Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Association

“A daringly honest reflection of addressing substance use and chronic pain. May takes the reader on an engaging journey through clinical stories woven with her own experiences, conveying useful psychodynamic concepts that make this a compelling and important read. In the realm of mental health literature, May’s book stands out for authenticity and vulnerability, skillfully moving through the labyrinth of emotions, trauma, and self-discovery. I would recommend What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist to all my patients.”

— Taylor Nichols, MD, emergency medicine and addiction medicine physician and Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco

In her revolutionary book, What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist, psychotherapist Michelle M. May takes us on an extraordinary journey through the inner workings of a therapist’s mind, her own experiences as a therapy client, and her work as an intensive therapist. In the intimate setting of therapy sessions, a tapestry of stories unfold, revealing the interconnectedness of the human experience and a universal wish: to be loved.

We follow the stories of Walter, Emma, and Michelle herself. Walter is depressed and has smoked cannabis every day since he was a little boy. Emma is riddled with anxiety and wants to find love but can’t bring herself to date. Michelle turned to opioids for relief from a chronic headache. Through the voices of Walter, Emma, and Michelle, we come face to face with the profound truth that listening to what we cannot say holds the key to unlocking our path to healing and relief.

With vulnerability and unapologetic honesty, May delves into the complex dynamics of how we hide ourselves to protect our relationships, exposing how this not only destroys what we strive for but also erodes our self-love. She bravely offers us a seat in the therapy room while illuminating the hidden strategies we use to hide and uncovering the depths of what it means to be human.

By sharing her own therapeutic journey as well as those of her patients, May makes the concept of intensive therapy more relatable. What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist serves as a guide for mental health professionals and individuals alike. May seamlessly interweaves the personal and the universal. While the narrative remains deeply personal, it resonates with readers on a profound level, serving as a window into our own hidden selves. As we immerse ourselves in May's words, we cannot help but reflect on our own experiences and methods of emotional silencing and reevaluating the impact it has and will have on our lives.

What I Couldn't Tell My Therapist is a groundbreaking work that challenges societal and relational norms. May fearlessly exposes the painful realities of our suffering, unraveling mysteries that shroud our existence. Through her own transformation, she offers hope and inspiration, reminding us that healing and growth are not only possible but essential.

This book is an intimate portrait of humanity at its core. Michelle M. May's captivating narrative beckons readers to confront their own emotional truths, urging us to embrace our vulnerabilities. What I Couldn't Tell My Therapist is not simply a book; it is a transformative experience. Through her sincerity, May encourages us to embark on our own journey of self-discovery. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder that our suffering holds the potential for powerful transformation.