Becoming Myself

A Psychiatrist's Memoir

By: Irvin D. Yalom

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Bestselling writer and psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom puts himself on the couch in a lapidary memoir
Irvin D. Yalom has made a career of investigating the lives of others. In this profound memoir, he turns his writing and his therapeutic eye on himself. He opens his story with a nightmare: He is twelve, and is riding his bike past the home of an acne-scarred girl. Like every morning, he calls out, hoping to befriend her, "Hello Measles!" But in his dream, the girl's father makes Yalom understand that his daily greeting had hurt her. For Yalom, this was the birth of empathy; he would not forget the lesson. As Becoming Myself unfolds, we see the birth of the insightful thinker whose books have been a beacon to so many. This is not simply a man's life story, Yalom's reflections on his life and development are an invitation for us to reflect on the origins of our own selves and the meanings of our lives.

Critic reviews

One of the Guardian's best books of 2017

"When Yalom publishes something--anything--I buy it, and he never disappoints. He's an amazing storyteller, a gorgeous writer, a great, generous, compassionate thinker, and--quite rightly--one of the world's most influential mental healthcare practitioners."—Nicola Barker, Guardian

"Fans of this eloquent and introspective author will welcome this innermost chronicle of his history, passions, and the keys to unlocking a fruitful life."—Kirkus Reviews

"Part memoir, part diary, and part teaching tool, Yalom's autobiography is revealing, inspiring, and moving. It is well written and well organized....Yalom's warm personality permeates the pages...[a] delightful memoir."—Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy

"In 40 chapters, from 'The Birth of Empathy' to 'A Novice at Growing Old,' the author writes with authority, energy, and humility.... An honest, engaging, and rewarding autobiography. For Yalom's admirers and those interested in the philosophy of psychology and memoirs."—Library Journal,starred review

"Wise and warm, this memoir recounts a life well lived."—Campus Circle

"Becoming Myself offers a rich exploration of some of the author's favorite themes with a rare honesty, openness and generosity... But it is in the way Yalom weaves together insights and recommendations about therapeutic praxis that he is most compelling. His ideas about therapy and technique build upon a child-like curiosity and unquenchable thirst for learning about the human condition. The medium for delivery is Yalom's brilliant story-telling...and the result is a treasure trove of gems about how we can best create the kind of connection and impact that foster satisfaction and success for our patients, as well as for ourselves."—American Journal ofPsychoanalysis

"I've always wondered, as any reader would wonder, about the author, about the balance between the professional and the personal and how out of that alchemy the writing emerged. Finally, in Becoming Myself, we have the answer, and it is wonderful, compelling, and as insightful about its subject and about the times he lived in as you could hope for. A fabulous read."—Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone

"Near the end of Becoming Myself, Irvin Yalom claims to be 'a novice at growing old'--to which I say, 'Oh, please!--you're as good at it as you have been at everything else.' This is a candid, insightful memoir by one of the world's most important and accomplished experts on the human soul."—Daniel Menaker, author of The Treatment and My Mistake: A Memoir

great book

such an impactful book! great writer and storyteller! too bad, the end is a bit sad.

Great book, wrong reader

I really enjoyed the book, but was continually irritated by the accent, whatever it’s supposed to be. Irv doesn’t talk like that. My memory of him is that he has no particular accent, except, perhaps, Californian. The reader seems to have some sort of northeast, Jewish accent, perhaps New York. I guess it’s fine if you don’t actually know Irv, but to me, the reader sonds much less sophisticated and educated.,which is a misrepresentation.

Awesome as always

Dr. Yalom has inspired so many through his work for decades. I was fortunate to see him in person during a recent APA convention and learned about his newly published memoir. I was astonished by his genuineness during the sharing session and in his book. Looking forward to reading and listening to more of his works and expecting to continuously learning from him.

Deep and meaningful

I have not read Yalom’s writing since I was a doctoral student 25 years ago. Clearly, I have missed out. He is a marvelously existential thinker who writes in a very clear, engaging manner. This book helped me reflect more deeply, both upon my practice and upon my life.

Your invited to be Yalom’s friend and confidant.

I loved it. I found this look inside Irvin Yalom’s life and inspiring. It was wonderful and to feel like his confidant and learn things about him I never knew.