'Humorous and honest' guide to therapies

Comedian Ariane Sherine has signed a book deal to write an accessible guide to therapy.

Talk Yourself Better promises a ‘humorous and honest look’ at the range of talking therapies available. They include counselling, art therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, many of which she has tried herself.

The book will feature interviews with celebrities, journalists, authors and ‘ordinary people’ who have used therapy to help them overcome mental health issues, as well as including interviews with therapists.

It will be published by Robinson Psychology in November 2018.

Editorial director Andrew McAleer told trade website The Bookseller that it was a ‘fitting companion to our range of self-help publications for mental health problems… a true user’s guide to the bewildering range of options available to you once you decide to seek professional help.’

Sherine said: ‘Having struggled with anxiety and depression for 20 years, I'm thrilled to be able to use my experiences of talking therapy to help others.’

In 2009, the comic edited the anthology The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, after helping spearhead the campaign that advertised: ‘There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life’ on 800 buses in the UK.

She added: ‘I hope Talk Yourself Better will do for therapy and mental health what The Atheist's Guide to Christmas and atheist bus campaign did for atheism.’

Published: 23 Jun 2017