Great topic! I've thought a lot about this myself. I never studied psychology, but when I first started going to therapy I started reading online about the process. Realized I could see a few of the things that my therapist was doing. Wondered if that would be somehow disappointing to "know too much" as it were.

Then, when he wanted me to try group therapy, I started researching all the websites on it. I mentioned that I had read a bit about it. He immediately lent me a book by Yalom all about the theory and practice of it. I read most all of that book even though it was very technical and I don't have a psychology background. I read lots and lots about group therapy and transcript examples, etc. before I ever walked into a session. I wondered how this would affect things for me.

Here's my conclusion. Something I said to him once in session sums it up. And I may have even mentioned this here before. (And I apologize for this example since it indicates I may have done something illegal about a million years ago, but it's the best example I can think of on this topic!) I said to my therapist: "Knowing what the word 'hallucinate' means is no preparation for trying acid." And that fits so well with therapy (individual or group). I read all about group and individual -- even knew what was taking place in some instances -- yet it has spoiled nothing for me. It's still nothing really like what I could have imagined. An intellectual grasp of it is interesting but never told me what it would feel like!

So maybe I'll read a bit more. Anyone know any good layman's books? I'm particularly interested in group therapy lately (still trying to decide if I'm getting anything out of it). Yalom's book was fascinating though I might like something a little more layman-friendly.

Sidony