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Chapter 5 - Framing a Psychodynamic Space

from Part 2: - The Model of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy into Practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2023

Adam Polnay ,
Rhiannon Pugh ,
Victoria Barker ,
David Bell ,
Allan Beveridge ,
Adam Burley ,
Allyson Lumsden ,
C. Susan Mizen  and
Lauren Wilson
Foreword by
Nancy McWilliams
Adam Polnay
Affiliation:
The State Hospital, Carstairs and Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
Victoria Barker
Affiliation:
East London NHS Foundation Trust, London
David Bell
Affiliation:
British Psychoanalytic Society
Allan Beveridge
Affiliation:
Royal College of Psychiatrists, London
Adam Burley
Affiliation:
Rivers Centre, Edinburgh
Allyson Lumsden
Affiliation:
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
C. Susan Mizen
Affiliation:
Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter
Lauren Wilson
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
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Summary

This chapter focuses on the concept of a framing a psychodynamic space. People come to therapists in various states of mind. Some people have histories of neglect and may carry expectations of something similar happening to them in the clinic. Some may be looking for help with long-term difficulties. Others may be acutely distressed and not know why. How we as clinicians present ourselves and organise the caring environment is crucial for a space to be created – or framed – where something therapeutic can happen in relation to these initial anxieties. The boundaries of therapy are not created with an expectation that the patient will always hold them, but rather that if they are not set out it is impossible to explore what might be behind them being shifted. We examine various considerations that go into framing a psychodynamic space. We also discuss the realistic limits of what therapy can offer, and an impulse that may arise in the therapist to extend themselves beyond what is possible. Finally, we consider the important topic of boundary violations by the therapist.

Keywords

psychodynamic frameanalytic settinganalytic encounterholding environmenttherapeutic boundariesboundary violationsprofessional boundaries
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy , pp. 79 - 88
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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