A leading therapist shares memorable patient stories to explore the key crises in life and what we can learn from them.
Julia Samuel, MBE, is a leading British psychotherapist. During the last thirty years, she has worked first for the NHS and then in private practice. She is Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK. Her previous books are This Too Shall Pass and Grief Works, both of which were Sunday Times bestsellers. She lives in London with her husband, and has four children and six grandchildren.
Full of compassionate wisdom ... a rich, wise book
*Christina Patterson, Sunday Times*
The case-studies here are presented so well that they often read
like good fiction, but by an author who is endlessly patient with
her characters ... There are all kinds of lessons to be learnt from
this wise, kindly book ... Julia Samuel has a basic faith in human
decency, and her optimism shines through every sentence
*Kate Saunders, The Times*
Julia Samuel's compassionate realism shines through every word of
this wise, kind volume. It is emphatically not a 'self-help' book,
but a beautifully written celebration of the strength of the human
spirit ... Wisdom and experience alone would make this essential
reading for us all - but, in addition, the extraordinary generosity
of Julia's personality shines through every word, offering profound
understanding and consolation ... It feels a privilege reading this
wonderful book full of insight
*Bel Mooney, Daily Mail*
Cannot recommend it highly enough
*Lorraine Kelly*
In this moving and insightful book, Julia Samuel explores how we
can navigate, adapt and ultimately become the people we'd hope to
be but also to nurture ourselves and understand what makes us us
(...) this is just the book we all need when times get tough - and
even when they aren't ... [A] comfort read
*Stylist*
A comforting and enlightening read ... If you're looking for
comfort in the presence of wise and caring strangers, then this is
the book for you
*Metro*
The psychotherapist author of the acclaimed Grief Works returns
with a bracing, brilliant exploration of how we can adapt and
thrive during our most difficult times (...) Samuel dispenses much
wisdom and empathy about the hard times we experience (...) to help
us better navigate the changes we will all face sooner or later
*The Bookseller*
I loved This Too Shall Pass. So full of wisdom and light. I learnt
a lot and also felt comforted and soothed. Julia really is a force
for good in the world. I wish more people could experience the joy
of being with her, and this book is a way that they can
*Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of 'The Last Act of Love'*
As you read this book, you absorb new and radical ways of thinking
about yourself, family, and friends. It's compassionate and gentle
yet is fiercely on the side of building sustainable and satisfying
relations even when they have gone wrong. Read it.
*Susie Orbach, author of 'In Therapy'*
Julia Samuel is the psychotherapist you wish you had on call and
her books are the next best thing. The challenges we all face in
life are unpicked, explained and made bearable in this thoughtful,
illuminating book. A book for anyone experiencing the pain of
change from divorce to debilitating illness. Julia Samuel's stories
from the therapy room light the way for the rest of us'
*Shane Watson*
An important book for our times. It is both wise and compassionate
which will be helpful to many readers
*Thomas Harding*
I absolutely loved it. Clear, compassionate, occasionally very very
funny but mostly heart wrenching
*Rabbi Julia Neuberger*
A profound exploration of resilience in modern life - a much-needed
reminder that we yield power over our lives, even when it feels
like we don't. It's one of the most valuable books I've ever read
and my respect for Julia Samuel and her work is immeasurable
*Adwoa Aboah, 'Gurls Talk' podcast host*
Little bells of clarity and understanding chime throughout this
book. At once intimate and universal, this is a lifesaver.
Fascinating, rigorous and beautifully written, you can hear Julia's
voice on every page
*Kate Reardon*
Relevant, wise and compassionate
*Annabel Rivkin, author of 'I’m Absolutely Fine! A Manual for
Imperfect Women'*
This brilliant book does what no others do - it talks about the
problems of everyday life, with grown-up children, complex
families, the stresses of work, in a compassionate and truly
insightful way. I would challenge anyone not to recognise
themselves in at least one of the beautifully detailed case
studies. It is a privilege to be able to listen in to a masterful
therapist at work
*Rosie Boycott*
The considerable force of this book lies in Julia's ability to
listen completely. Being such an extraordinary listener she becomes
an extraordinary storyteller
*Christa D’Souza*
Wisdom and experience alone would make This Too Shall Pass
essential reading for every single person - but, in addition, the
extraordinary generosity of Julia's personality shines through
every word, offering profound understanding and consolation
*Bel Mooney*
Moving and inspiring, Julia Samuel writes with the quiet clarity
that comes with true wisdom. In her observations of the
heart-breaking and life-affirming events that affect the lives of
ordinary people, she has the ability to find the eye of the storm
and to hold her clients in stillness there as they come to terms
with the chaos of change. Reading This Too Shall Pass is
illuminating and comforting. We all resist change, and Julia Samuel
shows us how to find the courage to weather it and sail out into
the calm beyond. She is honest, open and inspiring in her comments,
like the best friend we all aspire to be. A life raft of a book,
hold onto it and you will stay afloat through life's inevitable
mishaps
*Raffaella Barker*
A remarkable portrayal of how we need to understand ourselves to
truly heal
*Esther Perel, author of 'Mating in Captivity' and 'The State of
Affairs'*
This book is wonderful
*Pippa Grange, author of 'Fear Less'*
[She] is a sort of human oxytocin
*The Times*
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |