A shadow of uncertainty has fallen over Bob; his younger sister, Ellen, might soon be relocating to live with Howard, her partner.

Bob brought two of his therapy groups to a secluded retreat, intending a lengthy session. However, the discussion stalled, consumed entirely by gripes about the basic nature of their lodgings.

Dr. Newman excised the wart from Bob’s neck and then presented him with a bill. Bob, recounting the event to Jerry, suggested the doctor ought to have done it as a favor, considering Bob’s assistance with Jerry's marriage. Jerry readily agr…

To preserve their marriage, and with consideration for Emily's impending Master's and Bob's demanding work hours, the Hartleys concluded that a separation would serve them best.

Before presenting Howie to Ellen, Howard subtly reshaped her, attempting to mold her into a persona more agreeable to the boy's tastes.

Bob relinquished the bulk of his private practice to accept a position as staff psychologist with a large insurance firm. He quickly discovered that in the corporate sphere, there existed a peculiar danger in excelling at one's duties.

The carefully orchestrated rhythm of Bob’s workday dissolved the moment Jerry brought in a temporary receptionist. A pleasant woman, certainly, but frustratingly indistinct; she seemed incapable of even correctly recalling his name.

Bob had often counselled his patients on the importance of honesty in their relationships, a principle he now resolved to apply to his own. The attempt, however, proved immediately disastrous. He offended two dinner guests, and soon after, …

Bob’s debut as a writer proved underwhelming. The experience left him deeply embarrassed, and he hesitated to join a gathering of psychologists en route to Hawaii, a reluctance compounded by the discovery that Howard would be navigating the…

News of Carol's impending marriage to Don Fesler—a poet who had never published a work and suffered from persistent foot pain—was met with disapproval by her circle.

Emily envisioned a perfect Thanksgiving, a celebration centered around a delicious turkey. But the anticipation soured the night before when Bob’s mother and Emily’s father launched into a series of barbed remarks, each volley escalating th…

Bob established a consciousness-raising group comprised entirely of women. His efforts were short-lived; he was asked to leave after Emily joined, a development that subtly exposed certain unresolved tensions within their own relationship.

Reconnecting with the vibrant and independent Courtney Simpson stirred something within Jerry. He made a decision then and there: he would close his dental practice. A yearning for romance and adventure propelled him toward a singular goal …

Bob felt confident about his prospects in the doctor's tennis tournament, until he discovered his partner would be Emily.

The thought of returning to Iowa for the holidays, and facing the inevitable control of her parents, weighed heavily on Carol. Seeking solace, she arrived at Bob's apartment, where she spent Christmas Eve recounting the hardships of her you…

John Tobin, Ellen’s former fiancé—a man of imposing height and undeniable charm, yet burdened by a profound ego, often expressed through his favored attire of suede and leather—arrived in Chicago with the intention of rekindling their roman…

Before he could even decline, Bob found himself unexpectedly vying for the position of school board chairman. His opponent was the incumbent, a figure who had, for the past six months, conspicuously absent himself from board meetings.

A noticeable curiosity had settled upon Emily regarding Bob’s persistent avoidance of any discussion about a former girlfriend. The subject seemed to exist in a locked room within him, and she found herself increasingly intrigued by the mys…

A rift formed between Bob and Jerry when Jerry requested a loan for a motorcycle. The proposition, however, proved to be a catalyst for discord, severing their friendship.

As his practice dwindled, and with each lost patient chipping away at his self-assurance, Bob finally yielded to Emily’s counsel and resolved to seek the help of a psychiatrist.

Emily transformed the apartment with antique furnishings. Bob, however, found her selections deeply uncomfortable, aesthetically displeasing, and even detrimental to his well-being.

Bob, a man of principle, finds himself in a difficult position when he agrees to offer counsel to a friend of Emily’s. The friend’s marriage, it appears, is unraveling, particularly given her husband's imposing physique and profession as a …

Emily volunteered for a shift at the children's summer camp, and she made it a point to gently encourage Bob to join the counselors.

When the ceiling of his office gave way, Bob found himself, unexpectedly, the oldest permanent psychologist in Chicago. Forced to relocate his practice to whatever available space he could secure, he became a fixture in a variety of locatio…