Telling the Truth: The Therapist’s Dilemma
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Book Details
- Publisher : Karnac Books
- Published : 2025
- Cover : Paperback
- Pages : 188
- Category :
Individual Psychotherapy - Catalogue No : 97837
- ISBN 13 : 9781800132962
- ISBN 10 : 1800132964
Reviews and Endorsements
In the post-truth age, where truth is seen as optional, Rob Hill conveys with exquisite vignettes and illustrations from his work, the intricacies and struggles of truthtelling. He doesn’t swerve to avoid discomfort or difficulty, and provides an inspiring read to all those who make “use of self” an integral part of their practice. His well-researched reflections look at shame, narcissism, and power, and how these shape our perception of truth – both in interpersonal work and larger systems. This is an important book for our times, as we sit with the struggles, risks, and vital importance of truthtelling in the therapy room and beyond.
Dr Marie-Anne Chidiac, Co-Founder and Director of Relational Change (relationalchange.org), author of Relational Organisational Gestalt: An Emergent Approach to Organisational Development
With Telling the Truth, Rob Hill offers us a beautifully written and rather unsettling book. Hill’s writing alternates between theoretical discussions regarding the complexities of truthtelling, truth hearing, and truth avoidance. Interspersed with his personal voice through an imagined conversation with a former patient for whom he looks back on his work with considerable regret, self-examination, and personal “un-concealing”. This is a courageous book in which Hill examines the power and risks of truthtelling – “un-concealing” – not only to our patients but also to ourselves.’
William F. Cornell, author of Self-examination in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, editor of the book series Innovations in Transactional Analysis
This is one of the most stimulating, challenging, and intriguing books I have read in a long time. Rob Hill engages with that age-old question of how, why, and when the therapist might disclose to the client what they are actually thinking and feeling. Rich with theory, reflection, and clinical examples, the book is a real adventure.
Professor Charlotte Sills, Ashridge Hult Business School, Metanoia Institute, UK