The Power of Talking: Stories from the Therapy Room

Reading The Power of Talking: Stories from the Therapy Room feels as though you have joined author Stelios Kiosses at his favourite coffee shop for a chat whilst enjoying a cappuccino and slice of cake. It is a joy to read, inviting you into the psychotherapeutic world as a welcome guest to discover the process of psychotherapy, the role of the therapist, and the psychological defences we all employ. ‘Being a therapist is truly a lifelong journey which we share with others towards healing.’ So says Stelios Kiosses and here he presents his journey so far. Along the way, we meet Gareth, suffering from depression for many years. Then there is Helen, dealing with unresolved childhood trauma. John and Alice, experiencing difficulties in their relationship, hoping couple therapy will help. David, successfully treated for burnout / work-related stress over a decade ago, but now struggling with suicidal thoughts after the loss of his job and his mother. This case has the added resonance of the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to work remotely via video. And finally, Abigail, who is struggling with hoarding and the memories and pain of sexual abuse. These stories come to life in an engaging, enthralling, and enjoyable read for therapists and the public alike.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements About the author Preface 1. On being a therapist 2. Gareth 3. Helen 4. John and Alice 5. David 6. Abigail Index

About the Author :
Stelios Kiosses is a psychotherapist and the Clinical Lead for Edison Education. He manages a multidisciplinary team ensuring the delivery and integration of evidence based clinical and therapeutic practices and provides extensive training and supervision to associate therapists and formal work experience of graduate psychologists. He studied psychodynamic counselling and clinical supervision at the University of Oxford and was previously trained in psychotherapy and experimental psychology at Sussex University. He is an associate member of the American Psychological Association and a member of both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the British Psychological Society. He is a member of Corpus Christi College Oxford and a research collaborator with Professor Robin Murphy’s Computational Psychopathology Research Group based at the University of Oxford. Stelios currently teaches at Harvard University Extension School and has previously held teaching positions as a visiting senior research associate at Kings College London and as a visiting lecturer at Goldsmiths College University of London. He was originally appointed as an honorary senior lecturer at the department of Psychiatry University of Birmingham teaching on the MS in Psychiatry (Family and Mental Health). In his public role he has acted as a UK TV psychologist and presenter for Channel 4’s hit series The Hoarder Next Door narrated by Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman and currently is patron of the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts one of HRH Prince of Wales core charities.

Review :
In a humane, moving and highly intelligent book, Stelios Kiosses opens the door on the world of therapy. He shows how human beings can come to acknowledge their own deepest wounds, and then find the strength to repair them. So much talk about therapy is shrouded in confusing jargon. This book is at the opposite extreme; it explains the scope and the limits of the therapist’s role in a plain and comprehensible way that many will find illuminating – and comforting.