On (not) listening for theory: the trainee’s use of theory as defence against the stress of beginning psychodynamic practice

Abstract

This paper offers reflections on the trainee’s relationship with, and use of, theory in the early stages of psychodynamic practice. It addresses the issues of ‘listening for theory’ in the face of the unsettling, yet inevitable, stress and insecurity of beginning psychodynamic practice and the daunting awareness of the work being assessed by the training institution. While theory makes psychodynamic work possible and applying theory is explicitly welcomed in psychodynamic training, the paper argues that the unexamined use of theory is problematic as it, albeit unconsciously, is used by the trainee as a defensive retreat into a private mental sanctuary from the intimate, relational space of the consulting room and from the felt incompetence and inexperience aroused in the immediate encounter with the client. Exemplified through accounts of working with a particular client during my training, the paper examines the trainee’s evolving relationship with theory, in the light of what impedes and promotes therapeutic progress, as a significant marker of the trainee’s development to work psychodynamically.

Keywords:

• psychodynamic theory
• beginning practice
• psychodynamic training
• transitional object
• use of theory
• professional development

Acknowledgements

My thanks go to Jonathan Wyatt for encouraging me to write this paper and for his comments on an earlier draft. I also thank Seamus Prior for his guidance during my counselling training and his supportive comments on this paper, Nikky Sternhell and together with two anonymous reviewers for their generous feedback on the written draft. Any errors remain solely the responsibility of the author.

Notes

1. Please note that John is a pseudonym, and any identifiable details have been removed to protect the client’s confidentiality.