Structure

The book as a whole is structured around the process of change. It mirrors the internal changes that the protagonist goes through in therapy as it also follows the changes her patients go through in their therapy sessions. The book also alternates between memories of Lori's past, capturing her evolution from being a television executive in Hollywood to a psychotherapist. While the narrative generally proceeds chronologically, Lori will occasionally bring up memories with her patients from the past to inform her work with them in the present. Each time a new patient is presented, the chapter also opens with a "chart note," which informs the reader who the patient is and what their psychological issues are.

The first part of the book consists of 17 chapters. These chapters help to situate the reader in Lori's world. It gives us each person's "presenting problem." It presents the problem of...