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What Is Your Understanding Of The Basic Elements Or Principles Inherent To Psychodynamic Counselling As Expressed By Lawrence Spurling In “An Introduction To Psychodynamic Counselling?”

Laurence Spurling illustrates in great detail principles and elements that encompass psychodynamic counselling. The relationship between therapist and client is paramount to the counselling process and is a defining feature in psychodynamic theory. The therapeutic dialogue between client and counsellor is vital for this therapeutic process. Through adopting an attitude of mutuality the counsellor aims at creating sanctuary and meaning for the client so they will gain an experience of containment. The setting, made up of the actual room, psychic boundaries as well as physical boundaries created by the counsellor are an essential part of the therapeutic process and is a place in which containment can take place.
Spurling incorporates many examples to aid understanding and gives clarity to various concepts. An approach whose influences are strongly rooted in Freud’s work, psychodynamic counselling is an ever evolving approach to psychotherapy.

Before therapy can take place, the counsellor must deal with their own feelings as this will in turn help their ability to listen, to respond, and the enhance quality of attention given to the client. This attention will radiate reassurances for the client. The nature and importance of reassurance is reflected in Tolstoy’s 1960 story, “The Death of Ivan Illyich”. The façade held by a dying mans family was intolerable to him and his only solace was found in a male servant (Gerassim) who wasn’t frightened or disgusted by Ivan’s pain. Gerassim’s acceptance of death being ultimate shows elements of free-floating attention, a clinical invention of Freud. Here there is no need for explanation as understanding is mutual.

Spurling explores the principle of ‘Therapeutic Action requiring a Therapeutic Process’. Ritual and Repetition are elements in today’s psychodynamic counselling as well as pre-modern ritual healing which led the way for modern day therapy. Going over material repeatedly helps find clarity for both counsellor...