Jeffrey Berman's book Irvin D. Yalom and the Literature of Psychotherapy: Writing the Speaking Cure explores Yalom's profound contribution to psychotherapy and literature.

Irvin D. Yalom, a distinguished psychiatrist and psychotherapist, is the most well-known author of psychotherapy stories in the United States. His first book of short stories in this genre, The Spinoza Problem, immediately became a bestseller, and his first novel of this kind, When Nietzsche Wept, continues to enjoy critical acclaim and great commercial success.

Yalom created the genre of "psychotherapy literature," where the therapist learns as much, if not more, than the patient; where therapy never proceeds as expected; and where the therapist's apparently unsuccessful approach ultimately proves successful.

The book thoroughly examines for the first time all of Yalom's important works. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the author comments on Yalom's profound contribution to psychotherapy and literature and highlights the recurring ideas in his books that unify them: the importance of the therapeutic relationship, therapist transparency, the "here and now" approach, the dominance of death anxiety, mutual therapy, and the theme of the wounded therapist.

Throughout the book, Berman discusses what Yalom can teach therapists in particular and the general (and yet special) reader more broadly.

"As a psychiatrist, I have greatly benefited not only from Yalom's books but also from his guidance, and for this reason I admire Berman's relationship with his author-subject. Both write with clarity and imagination, inviting the reader to accompany them on a personal journey that is interesting but also intellectually demanding. Reading this book helps me better understand Yalom’s dual role as a brilliant psychotherapist-teacher and an engaging novelist. Berman’s examination of Yalom’s work book by book shows, on the one hand, that good therapy involves facing reality and, on the other, that good fiction is bringing stories to life by reflecting the hard truths of life.

Berman is the perfect guide to Yalom's written world, conveying his wisdom and creativity with respect and clarity." –DAVID SPIEGEL, author

"This is a captivating presentation of one of the most prominent psychotherapists of the 20th century. If you are interested in deepening your understanding of an idiosyncratic form of existential psychotherapy for individuals and groups, this book is very important." –MURRAY SCHWARTZ, Emerson College

"In this richly meaningful book, Berman takes us behind the scenes in a warm and skillful exploration of Irvin Yalom’s unparalleled contribution to psychotherapy, writing, and teaching. He clearly shows us that human healing is achieved through speaking, writing, and reading. He eloquently reminds us that psychotherapy is essentially the process of human connection and the shared creation of meaning in experience." –MOLYN LESZCZ, University of Toronto