Irene C. Kassorla (b.1931) is an American psychologist and best-selling self-help author. Entertainer Merv Griffin labeled her “shrink to the stars.”
Born in Los Angeles, Kassorla earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a PhD from the University of London’s Institute of Psychiatry. She started her career as a scholar on autistic children and schizophrenic adults and wrote the psychological self-help manual Putting It All Together (1974.)
In the 1980s, Kassorla later turned her focus towards family therapy and sexual counseling. She claimed as clients European royal families, celebrities in film, TV, and music, as well as Fortune 500 CEOs and international politicians. She was frequently mentioned in the press as Monica Lewinsky’s therapist during the Ken Starr investigations that led to the impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton in the 90s.
A pioneer in talk radio and TV, Kassorla was one of the first psychologists to address psychological issues live on the air and the first psychologist to have a syndicated television show that featured live group therapy.
Kassorla’s other notable works include Nice Girls Do (1980) and Go for It!: How to Win at Love, Work, and Play (1984.)
READ: Works by Irene Kassorla
Don’t wait for your ship to come in, and feel angry and cheated when it doesn’t. Get going with something small.
—Irene Kassorla
Winning in life is failing. My idea of a winner is someone who fails first and then moves. Failing gives you a library of information that you’ve got to have so in the next situation you can use this body of knowledge. Failure is a teacher. It’s exciting learning how to live on this planet with yourself and the others around you. It’s a wonderful, lifelong path.
—Irene Kassorla