Spurling's new edition expertly integrates traditional psychoanalytic constructs with the realities of contemporary counselling in an extraordinary fashion, helping both novice and experienced clinicians practice their craft with greater sophistication. With observations from the psychodynamic counselling “founders and masters”, such as Freud, Winnicott and Bowlby, this text explains how these theories apply to and can inform our best modern-day counselling service practices.

Charles A. Waehler, Associate Professor Emeritus in Counselling Psychology, University of Akron, US

In this book, Spurling's great strength is the way he unfolds his clinical examples, which are deep and layered, alongside compelling discussions of theory. Each section is written beautifully in clear and engaging prose, enriched by references to literature. Whether you are a new practitioner or an experienced psychotherapist or counsellor, you will make exciting discoveries within these pages.

Chris Nicholson, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex, UK

This accessible account of psychodynamic theory and practice is an essential text for prospective psychodynamic counsellors and psychotherapists. It successfully conveys the substance and significance of once-weekly psychodynamic work.

Clea McEnery-West, Director of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Birkbeck, University of London, UK