Psychodynamic counselling has developed from the psychoanalytic tradition inaugurated by Freud. At its core is a belief in the role of the unconscious in the development of conflict and disturbance, which may be resolved through the careful unfolding of the therapeutic relationship via the transference/counter-transference dynamic and within a defined setting.
Integrating theory and context, this book explores the opportunities for counsellors to develop their own practice of psychodynamic counselling. The author encourages readers to look carefully at the way they work and to think about strategies to improve their skills in a specialized form of relating. He examines areas crucial to the psychodynamic approach, including internal and external settings, working with issues around boundaries, and transference and counter-transference.
Brendan McLoughlin is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice.