An unusual and emotional series, In Treatment brings a dynamic new focus to a staple of modern society – the psychotherapy session. Five individual stories will be played out over nine weeks, with each story anchored on a specific weekday:

Mondays: Laura -  An attractive young anaesthesiologist who’s been Paul’s patient for a year, Laura is in the midst of her own relationship crisis, and is facing an ultimatum: break up with her boyfriend Andrew, or marry him. After she recounts a sordid night at a bar followed by a pre-dawn vigil outside Paul’s office, Laura drops a bombshell: she’s in love with her therapist. Though Paul tells her “I’m not an option,” Laura insists, “You’ve become the centre of my life.” Laura is played by Melissa George.

Tuesdays: Alex -  An arrogant Navy pilot who prides himself on his high standards, Alex is drawn to Paul’s reputation as “the best,” yet spends much of his first session challenging the therapist. Alex does give Paul an account of the events that drove him here: the bombing of an Iraqi school in which 16 boys were killed, and a subsequent heart at tack suffered during a 22-mile run with a gay friend. Alex is played by Blair Underwood

Wednesdays: Sophie - A precocious teenage gymnast who won the Junior Nationals, Sophie’s hopes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team took a hit, literally, when the bike she was riding rammed into the side of a car. She arrives at Paul’s because she needs a “professional opinion” to counter an investigation by the driver’s insurance company, who suspects the accident was a suicide attempt. The girl reveals a strained relationship with her mother but idealizes both her long-time coach and her father whom she rarely sees. Sophie is played by Mia Wasikowska.

Thursdays: Amy and Jake - Jake and Amy, a volatile and strained couple, tried for over five years to have a second child. After years of fertility treatment, Amy gave up – and then got pregnant. However, she’s no longer convinced she should have the baby – a turnaround that infuriates her suspicious husband. On the afternoon of their session, Jake pushes Paul to offer an opinion on whether they should keep the baby. His candid answer comes as a shock to Jake and Amy – and Paul. Josh Charles and Embeth Davidtz play Jake and Amy.

Fridays: Dr Paul Weston meets with his therapist Gina – Paul is a 50-something therapist who conducts his practice from his home-office. He is married to Kate and has two boys and a girl. By all accounts he’s respected and successful, yet it’s clear his nerves are fraying on the edges. After four particularly trying days of therapy, Paul decides he needs the counsel of a retired therapist he hasn’t seen in nearly ten years. Once there, however, he admits to being equally anxious about his own marriage, suspecting his wife might be having an affair.

Despite his stubborn disposition, Paul relied deeply on Gina as his professional supervisor years ago. Since then, Gina lost her husband, turned 60, retired as a therapist, and started writing a novel. Yet when Paul unexpectedly calls her to discuss his growing issues with his practice, the equally strong-willed therapist allows him to return, renewing a complicated relationship between them. Dr Paul Weston is played by Gabriel Byrne and Dr Gina Grant is played by Dianne Wiest.

Tune in for the series at 10pm every weekday on Sky Arts 1 / HD, with an omnibus of the week’s therapy sessions at 10pm every Sunday.