Jessica: The Autobiography of an Infant by Jeffrey Von Glahn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this true story Dr. Jeffrey Von Glahn follows his course of treatment with a patient he calls “Jessica”. When he first meets with Jessica Dr. Von Glahn struggles to get her to open up about her problems. Unable to remain home alone with her young child while her husband is at work she spends every night at her mother’s house. Along with this Jessica has lost the ability to drive. She has no explanation for these dramatic changes in her life and the doctor can’t seem to break through the barrier she has set up. She is completely unable to speak about herself.
After many months it is Jessica who comes up with the bold idea of increasing her sessions to four hours daily and eventually to four days a week. It is this courageous step that eventually leads Jessica and Dr. Von Glahn to make successful advances in her therapy. Dr. Von Glahn feels that Jessica has lost her “humanness” and it is by reaching back to her very beginning that first opens the door to restoring her to a “human” able to express her needs without fear.
This is an inspiring exploration of the basic humanness in all of us and the vital need to realize its importance. Navigating new paths in therapy with Jessica’s help and bravery Dr. Von Glahn allows the reader to follow their journey. I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in human nature, psychology, and mental health issues.
Between the Beats 