On the margins: a psychoanalytic perspective on the location of counselling, psychotherapy and counselling psychology training programmes within universities

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Abstract

Despite the continuing expansion of psychotherapeutic training programmes within universities in the UK, very little has been written about the psychological strains which may be experienced by teams working within the context of higher education. This theoretical paper offers a psychoanalytic perspective on the location of such teams, drawing on Kleinian conceptualisations of anxiety and projective identification, as well as Menzies-Lyth's(1959) concept of social defence systems. The paper explores the way in which psychotherapeutic teams in general and counselling psychology teams in particular may be at risk of becoming the locus of unconsciously split-off emotional aspects of the institution. The role of such teaching teams within universities is discussed and brief suggestions for future practice outlined.

© 2007, Taylor & Francis. This is an author produced version of a paper published in the British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link below. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)283-297
JournalBRITISH JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING
Volume35
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2007

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