I don't watch his show all the time, but enjoy it when I'm bored, but began watching him right after 9/11 on Oprah (around that time anyway) and was very real to me after I attempted suicide in '02..I have found his books to be quite good, and full of common sense...have to agree with the comment concerning "advice" vs therapy...I'm happy to see that he directs people to good therapists and doesn't leave them with his gruff "take it or leave it style."