Reflection Paper – “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” Novel
The purpose of this assignment is to explore the role of theory and creativity in social work
practice and to discuss ethical considerations related to direct practice.
Read the novel by Lori Gottlieb, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.” Select 2-3 questions
from each theme listed below to develop your 6-7 page reflection paper about the novel. This
paper can be written in a question-and-answer format – please use the prompts to craft a
response to your reflections on how the novel impacted you. Please use citations for ideas,
concepts and verbiage that was not created by you. I am looking for depth, organization and
relevance. Papers should be critically reflective and thoughtful.
1. General Themes:
• What impressions did this novel did it make on you? What stood out for you in terms of
the characters, their development, the plot/storyline, etc.?
• What sorts of themes/parallels/interesting/ironic coincidences can be drawn between
(the pairing and intersections) of the characters in the novel?
• What patterns do we see with the more experienced clinicians? Why might they be
“pushing the limit” their profession’s ethics and standards to “practice creatively”?
• Discuss issues of diversity and intersectionality (gender, race, class, gender, sexual
orientation, ability, etc.) and representation in the novel.
• How is the (human) behavior of the main characters rationalized in this novel and what
might that tell us?
• What parts of the novel made you uncomfortable and why?
• What parts of the novel made you laugh and why?
• What other issues came up for you while reading this novel, not captured in these
questions?
2. Ethical Practice:
• What was the biggest social work ethics dilemma in the novel? Were there ethical
standards violated?
• How might this novel apply to you in terms of your own ethical social work practice
and/or creative approach to direct practice work?
• How might this novel help you in preventing potential ethical issues in practice?
3. Therapeutic Intervention:
• How might you connect the therapeutic approach of psychodynamic theory to the
characters and/or events in the novel?
• What parts of the novel might (or might not) be considered strengths-based
empowerment theory in practice?
• How are the characters in this novel (clinicians) engaging in “creative practice”?
• How do you personally view their practice techniques? What are some of the
challenges/limitations involved? What are some of the benefits?
• Whose needs are met in therapy and why might this be problematic or present
challenges?
• What questions does this novel raise about the client/therapist relationship? How is the
client/therapist relationship presented in this novel?
