ABSTRACT
This case study, taken from my case load as a university student counsellor, illustrates counselling processes based on psychodynamic principles.
Psychodynamic counselling aims to establish a relationship of unconditional care and acceptance. This relationship provides the security in which defences can be relaxed and underlying feelings faced and experienced. The balance between security and frustration is crucial. The student’s capacity to bear the anxiety and pain of his true feelings must be assessed and monitored throughout the process, so that he can be put in touch with as much of his true feelings as he can accept.
