First thanks goes to Deborah Malmud, director of the Professional Books Division of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., who thought I might be the right person to write a book describing how eating and weight issues weave their way through psychotherapy. I hope I have put to paper what she had in mind. Appreciation also goes to Vani Kannan, editorial assistant, and Kristen Holt-Browning, assistant managing editor, for their help. Special thanks goes to Nancy L. Cloak, MD, of Sheppard-Pratt Hospital in Towson, Maryland, for making sure I got my medical facts right. Once again, my agent, Janice M. Pieroni of Story Arts Management has been there with unflagging encouragement every step of the way.