Abstract
This portfolio is part of a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of Surrey. It comprises of a collection of academic, clinical and research work and is organized in three sections: the academic, the practice and the research dossier. The academic dossier includes three theoretical papers. The first paper sets to examine the relationship between Attachment Theory and Projective Identification, whether and how they can co-exist and interact as approaching common phenomena from different starting points. The second essay sustains this integrative approach and examines whether the application and efficacy of Exposure Therapy can be approached, understood and explained through Attachment Theory. Lastly, the third essay presents depression from a psychodynamic viewpoint. At the end, the relationship with other theoretical approaches is discussed. The therapeutic practice dossier provides an overview of my clinical practice, the placements and the client population that I have worked with throughout my training. Following on from this, a Final Clinical Paper sets to present an account of my personal and professional development and my journey of becoming a Counselling Psychologist. Furthermore, attached to this portfolio, are two process reports that provide a detailed account of my work with two clients. The research dossier contains three research reports. The first one critically reviews the literature on gender differences in depression and male depression. The second research report draws from this review and sets to explore the construction of male depression within the therapeutic encounter. The third report broadens this discourse analytic approach and explores the contemporary construction of depression and institutional practices. At the end of the research dossier a copy of a published paper that emerged from my first-year research report, is provided.