By Day, Psychotherapist Johan Deckmann analyzes human behavior with his clients. By night, he writes down his observations as titles for fictional self-help publications. Using books found in antique shops as a canvas, the practicing psychotherapist transforms their boring covers into witty jokes. Even though most of his pieces balance between the hilarious and the poignant, their faded color and worn texture take the readers on an emotional journey of self-reflection and soul-searching.

Titles like “How to gain instant success by lowering your standards” can resonate with anyone, but instead of remaining sinister, the work is made humorous by using the same language that you might find on a cookbook. “How to build a wall so high that nobody will ever get to know you” might be fitting for people working in an office, and, perhaps: “How to keep doing the same old mistakes and expect a different result” could be considered the most universally human of all one-liners.

“Humour is a pretty convenient companion, given humankind’s condition,” he added. “I think gratitude, appreciation of being here and a portion of self-irony are the main keys to a happy life.”

What do you think about Johan’s night job?

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