Application of Defense Mechanisms Paper

.docx

School

University of Phoenix *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

506

Subject

Psychology

Date

Jun 19, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by marisa13culley

1 Application of Defense Mechanisms Paper Marisa Butler University of Phoenix CCMH/506: Personality Theories and Counseling Models Dr. Jennifer Reynolds April 29, 2024

2 Application of Defense Mechanisms Paper Describe each defense mechanism you have observed. The three defense mechanisms I observed this week were denial, displacement, and projection. Denial is used as a defense mechanism in the fact that individuals refuse to accept the situation or the information that was given to them, however if it continues it can hinder personal growth and prevent individuals from dealing with underlying issues. Denial may function as a short term-method for shielding oneself from feelings of anxiety, stress, or trauma. Displacement is a defense mechanism where individuals redirect their emotions, especially negative ones, from the initial cause to a weaker target. This can potentially end up damaging personal relationships and does not allow someone to work towards the initial issue. Projection is a defense mechanism where an individual takes their own unaccepted thoughts and feelings and projects them onto someone else. By labeling these traits onto someone else, the individual does not have to recognize them as their own. Explain the behavior or situation and how it represents the identified defense mechanism. This week I saw a close family member use denial as a defense mechanism when discussing putting a family pet to sleep. As a family it was discussed that this was the best option, however this individual struggled to accept that losing their pet was the best option. There were many discussions about this cannot be the only option and there must be another way. While this individual was using defense as a mechanism, they would say they refuse to accept that was the right choice to make. I witnessed displacement with a client that I currently work with. Earlier in the week I knew that she had a rough family therapy session with her parents. Within that session, she was not

3 able to express how she felt, there was not time for parents to express how they felt. Later that day, she lashed out at other individuals for not listening to what she had to say or not paying attention to what she wanted to do. Since she was not able to communicate to her parents about her thoughts and feelings, she lashed out at others who were around her. During the week, I watched a coworker use projection as a defense mechanism. She is under a lot of personal stress, to be in the process of buying a home and working long shifts. Despite her own fatigue and strain, whenever someone would inquire about her well-being, she would dismissively reply with a simple “fine.” However, she would then turn the conversation around, questioning other co-workers about why they seemed tired or stressed out. By projecting her own feeling of exhaustion onto her colleagues, she attempted to downplay her own struggles and deflect attention away from her personal challenges. Write a conclusion in which you describe how you might address defense mechanisms with a client. I would address defense mechanisms with a client in a few different ways. I would start by developing trust within the therapeutic relationship. If a client did not trust their counselor, they would be defensive when starting to discuss defense mechanisms. I would do this by creating a safe and non-judgmental space where the client feels comfortable exploring sensitive topics. As the counselor, I would gently encourage the client to explore patterns of behavior that may be triggering different defense mechanisms. Understanding patterns and triggers will allow the client to be more self-aware of what their eternal response is. I would work with the client on helping them explore and express their emotions, diving into what emotions they are feeling and what emotions they are trying to hide. By fostering insight into their true emotions, the client can gradually develop a greater awareness of their defense mechanisms and the impact on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. As a counselor I would collaborate with the client and help

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:PEARSON

Cognitive Psychology

Psychology

ISBN:9781337408271

Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.

Publisher:Cengage Learning,

Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...

Psychology

ISBN:9781337565691

Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780393265156

Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...

Psychology

ISBN:9781285763880

Author:E. Bruce Goldstein

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)

Psychology

ISBN:9781305652958

Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz

Publisher:Cengage Learning

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780134477961
Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White
Publisher:PEARSON
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology
ISBN:9781337408271
Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...
Psychology
ISBN:9781337565691
Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780393265156
Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...
Psychology
ISBN:9781285763880
Author:E. Bruce Goldstein
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)
Psychology
ISBN:9781305652958
Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz
Publisher:Cengage Learning