#122 - Lori Gottlieb: Understanding pain, therapeutic breakthroughs, and keys to enduring emotional health

Aug 3, 2020

Lori Gottlieb, a renowned psychotherapist and author of 'Maybe You Should Talk to Someone,' shares her unique journey from entertainment to therapy. She discusses the profound experience of dissecting cadavers during medical school and the emotional truths revealed through her patients' stories. Lori delves into the complexities of human behavior, particularly in men, and emphasizes the importance of rewriting personal narratives for lasting change. Additionally, she highlights the connection between emotional and physical health, dispelling myths surrounding therapy.

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ANECDOTE

Lori's Path to Therapy

Lori Gottlieb's path to therapy was non-linear, starting in television, then medical school.
She left medical school to become a journalist before returning to pursue psychology.

INSIGHT

Cadaver Dissection

Dissecting cadavers in medical school is a profound, emotional experience.
It teaches respect for the human body and the interconnectedness of life and death.

ANECDOTE

Leaving Medical School

Lori left medical school despite the sunk cost, prioritizing her passion for storytelling.
She recognized life's finite nature and pursued her true calling.

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Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and the bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. In this episode, Lori extracts important lessons from her experiences as both a therapist and a patient. The stories Lori shares has provided her the material for insights into living a more fulfilling life. In our conversation, Lori also dispels some misconceptions about therapy, explains the process of big therapeutic breakthroughs, and reveals the most important steps for enduring emotional health.

We discuss:

Lori’s unique path to becoming a therapist [3:00];
Dissecting cadavers—a profound experience during med school [12:30];
The sunk cost fallacy—How Lori was able to walk away from med school [17:15];
Being aware of the gift of life, and other lessons from Lori’s terminally ill patient [24:00];
How underlying pain can manifest in obnoxious behavior [32:45];
Counseling versus therapy [36:15];
The story of John—why men hide their feelings, breaking down his shield, and uncovering his pain [38:30];
“Breaking open”—A shocking revelation about John that tests Lori’s resolve as a therapist [46:30];
Rewriting your story, the recovery process, and the most important step for lasting change [49:00];
The process of many big therapeutic breakthroughs [56:00];
The 2 types of suicidal thoughts, and the importance of talking about it [1:01:00];
The most common issues that bring patients to therapy with Lori [1:02:45];
Clinging to the familiar—why change is so hard [1:05:15];
A story of shame, lack of self-compassion, and self-sabotage [1:07:00];
The importance of managing mental health to reduce unnecessary suffering [1:15:45];
Dispelling the misconceptions about therapy [1:23:15]; and
More.

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