I’ve been a clinical psychologist for twenty-five years, meaning I, like many experienced therapists, have spent thousands and thousands of hours sitting with people, observing them and listening to them very carefully. It is not surpsrising—though it may seem a bit like magic at times—since we have heard many of the same human stories played out many times, seen the emotions that flash across people’s faces, gone along for the ride as people make connections that help themselves understand themselves and make needed changes in their lives,that we can understand, sometimes pretty quickly, what is going on with someone, although the details of course vary. This contributes to one of the satisfactions of doing therapy—the sense of being heard and understood, perhaps for the first time. That is not all good theraoy is about, but it is often what people remember about it.