How difficult is it really to be a psychologist? Isn’t it just a matter of presenting your most empathetic side, being an uncommonly good listener, and rattling off the first and best solutions you can think of?

Lars Dehli’s debut novel tells the story of a young man who happens to start an illegal psychology practice. He does a lot of things wrong, including falling for one of his patients. But along the way, he also acquires all sorts of knowledge, such as how to curb compulsive behaviour and how metacognitive therapy is superior to psychoanalysis.