¶ Understanding Defense Mechanisms in Therapy
Hello to all our luminescent therapists out there and welcome to our Licensure Exam Podcast . I'm Stacey Frost here with my co-host , Dr Linton Hutchinson .
Hey everybody , today's episode is about defense mechanisms , which are unconscious psychological strategies that you and your clients use to cope with anxiety , stress and emotional conflicts . Defense mechanisms are important concepts for you to understand as you prepare and pretty much to better comprehend your client's behavior or send their thought processes .
That's right . By identifying a client's primary defense mechanisms , you can actually gain valuable insights into the underlying issues that might be contributing to their current difficulties . Now , today we're going to be going over two commonly confused defense mechanisms projection and displacement . So we'll start with some simple definitions . First , Take it away , Linton .
You know . Let's first talk about projection , which is when your client attributes their own unwanted thoughts , feelings or impulses to another person or another group . Rather than acknowledging and dealing with those undesirable aspects of themselves , they project them onto other people . And why do they do it ?
Well , many therapists think about defense mechanisms as being harmful , but in reality they can really be lifesavers . Think of it this way Imagine that you're driving down a dirt road with Stacy and Beck in her antique 1956 Ford , without power steering or shock absorbers . Every time she hits a pothole , the impact is not absorbed by the car .
It jolts Beck and Stacey inside the car where the sun doesn't shine . Emotions are like that . They're like the holes and bumps that we encounter in life , and defense mechanisms are the shock absorbers that keep us from being emotionally battered , beaten up and thrown out of alignment .
And you'll find with your clients , the bigger the bumps that they hit through life , the more intense and ingrained the defense mechanisms have become for directing their lives .
What you'll find is that your clients are unconsciously projecting their own self-directed negative emotions of internal conflicts , insecurities or undesirable traits onto others as a way to avoid confronting and dealing with those issues within themselves . And why is this important for you to know as a therapist , stacey ?
Well , in many cases , recognizing and addressing projection is the first step in personal growth and self-awareness for a client during therapy and as Linton mentioned , defense mechanisms are happening on an unconscious level , so the client is completely unaware of what they're doing and if you can help them identify instances where they're showcasing those defense mechanisms ,
you can guide them toward greater self-reflection and understanding .
Exactly . Now let's move on to displacement . Displacement is where the client copes with externally triggered negative emotions and redirects those feelings . Usually in anger or frustration , the client will redirect their negative emotions from the original source , regardless of what it is , to a less threatening or a more acceptable target .
Displacement allows the client to express their feelings indirectly , but it can lead to problems in relationships and personal functioning if not addressed appropriately Exactly .
So what are some of the similarities and differences between displacement and projection ? You might ask ? Well , for one . Both are used to cope with anxiety , stress or unacceptable feelings , which is really the nature of all defense mechanisms , and both involve redirecting emotions or feelings from one person or situation to another . So those are how they're similar .
What about the differences , lyndon ?
Okay for the exam . Think the main difference lies in how the emotions or feelings are redirected . Displacement involves redirecting emotions from the original source of distress onto a less threatening target . With projection , the client attributes their own unacceptable feelings or traits to another person .
Okay , well , clear as mud so far . Linton , Keep going .
Don't worry , I've got a trick to help you easily distinguish between the two .
If you're faced with a question on an exam where you have to decide if the client is engaging in projection or displacement , there are two key factors you need to think about One , the source of the unacceptable unconscious emotion and two , the target of that unacceptable unconscious emotion .
Okay , two factors . I'm with you so far .
Okay , displacement is externally generated . Think about that . Displacement is externally generated If the client's emotions being redirected from an external source , like a frustrating situation at work or an argument with a spouse or a friend .
If so , it's likely displacement and the kind of emotions you see with displacement are typically these three anger , frustration and aggression .
Okay , that makes sense . So those emotions are often triggered by external situations that your client might perceive as threatening , stressful or unfair . And I'm guessing that if displacement is externally generated , linton , then projection is internally generated .
You got it . Projection is internally generated . If the client attempts to cope with an internal conflict such as insecurity or what they perceive as an undesirable trait . Undesirable trait If that's what you're seeing , it's likely projection .
And the kind of emotions you'll see with projections are typically the person is feeling shame , they're feeling guilt , they're feeling jealousy , fear , inadequacy and self-doubt . That's what you're going to see with your client exhibiting .
Okay . Well , that's a really great way to break it down , Linton . So the first factor , to consider the original source of the emotion and , like you said , if it's coming from an external situation , it's likely displacement , but if it's coming from the client's own internal conflicts , then it's probably projection .
Okay , and you also mentioned identifying the target of the emotion as a way to differentiate between displacement and projection .
If the target of the client's negative emotions are a less threatening substitute for the original source of the distress is something you need to think about . Then you're looking at displacement . With displacement , the target is often seen as a less powerful , less important or less able to retaliate compared to the original source of the stress .
If the target is not more or less threatening , let , while projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts , feelings or impulses onto another person or group . Right between displacement and projection , you want to consider the source and target of the emotion .
Displacement is externally generated , often involving anger , frustration and aggression , while projection is internally generated , often involving shame , guilt , jealousy , fear , inadequacy and self-doubt .
In displacement , the target of the client's negative emotions is often seen as less powerful , less important or less able to retaliate compared to the original source of distress . And in projection , the target is neutral , basically becomes a repository for the client's disowned or unacknowledged emotions .
So next we've got a case study where you get to decide which defense mechanism is at play . So , linton , why don't you tell us a little bit about our beloved Clinton's latest shenanigans ?
Clinton again , huh .
Yes , Clinton .
Okay , clinton was having a terrible day . His Tesla stock was down for the third consecutive month , ethereum was just deemed a security by the SEC . He couldn't find his keys and his grandkid's cat puked on his favorite Hawaiian shirt . Feeling frustrated and annoyed , he went to Publix to grab some sushi from Kai , their amazing sushi chef , to cheer himself up .
He knew that Kai would give him extra wasabi . As he reached the sushi section , clinton noticed that another customer was picking up the last package of his beloved dragon rolls . Suddenly , all of Clinton's pent-up frustration from the day came to the surface . He rushed over to the customer and exclaimed excuse me , but I believe that's my sushi .
Clinton then snatched it out of the customer's hand . You're such a rude , frustrating and selfish person to only think about your own needs . The startled customer looked at Clinton and made a grab for the sushi , saying hey , sorry , but I picked it up first . So back off for the sushi . Saying hey , sorry , but I picked it up first , so back off .
Feeling a bit foolish , clinton said well , I'm having a terrible day and the thought of having those dragon rolls was the only thing that kept me from burning up . The customer , taken aback by Clinton's unusual response , slowly backed down and said well , you know what ? Why don't you take the dragon rolls ? I think you need them more than I do .
Clinton suddenly realized the ridiculousness of his behavior . He took the sushi and mumbled thank you . I guess I was just feeling a bit rolled up in my own problems .
Oh , that Clinton . What a guy . So we'll ask you , all therapists out there , what do you think ? Do you think that this is an example of displacement or projection ? And we'll give you a minute to think this one through .
Or maybe it's something else .
Oh , it could be a trick question . Oh , that would be something Clinton would do .
Well , if you guess projection , guess again . Based on the case study presented , it appears that Clinton is exhibiting displacement as a defense mechanism . And what are the key factors that point towards displacement ?
Stacey Well , using your handy trick , clinton . First , we need to identify the source of Clinton's anger and frustration . Is it externally or internally generated ? And from what I heard , the source of Clinton's negative emotions seems to be external .
There was a series of frustrating events throughout his day , including his cryptocurrency woes , losing his keys and his grandchildren's cat puking on his favorite shirt . I'd say that that sounds pretty rough . So these are all external stressors that have led to Clinton feeling frustrated and just downright annoyed .
Right . And the second factor to look at is the target of his anger and frustrations . Clinton redirects his pent-up frustration on a less threatening target the customer who is picking up the last package of his beloved Dragon Rolls .
Instead of addressing the actual source of his stress , clinton displays you can think of it like misplacing his anger onto the unsuspecting customer who became a substitute target for his frustration .
Okay , great , so let's try a few more . How about this ? After a stressful day at work , Tracy your client , she goes home and she yells at her spouse for a minor issue .
Would that be displacement or projection , linton ? Okay , displacement . The source of the client's anger is based on an external trigger and she's redirecting her anger from work to a safer target her husband , that , tracy , you got to be on guard whenever you're around that lady .
You got that one right .
How about ?
this one A child is scolded by his parents and later takes out his anger on his younger sibling . Okay , I think that one is a classic example of displacement . So the child becomes angry after being scolded by a parent an external trigger .
The child then unconsciously redirects their anger and frustration onto a target who they perceive is less powerful and less able to fight back their younger sibling , rather than confronting the original source of the distress being the parent . All right , and how about this one ?
Your client feels insecure about their own intelligence and they're constantly accusing other people of being stupid or ignorant .
I always hated it when I'd spell intelligence wrong , you know .
Is it two L's , is it two I's ?
Well , anyways , that sounds like a case of projection , right ? The source of the client's negative emotion is internal their own feelings of insecurity about their intelligence . They are struggling with this internal conflict or perceived personal flaw by accusing others of being stupid .
They are essentially attributing their own perceived intellectual shortcomings to everyone around them . It's a way of externalizing their internal conflicts and negative self-perception .
And the target of their insecurity isn't necessarily less threatening or powerful than the client , like you'd see with displacement .
Right , how about one more before you wrap it up ? Okay , ready . You have a client who feels ashamed of their prejudice and accuses others in their community of being prejudiced . Displacement or projection .
Well , it sounds like the source of the client's negative emotions is really internal their own feelings of shame about their own prejudices .
And by accusing others of being prejudiced , the client is essentially attributing their own unacceptable attitudes onto those around them , and this allows them to externalize this internal conflict that they have and really avoid taking responsibility for their own bias .
So this one seems to point toward projection and our second factor there , determining the target of their feelings . The target of their shame isn't a less threatening or powerful person , it's just kind of everyone in general .
Well , you got it .
All right . Well , there you have it A crash course in differentiating between displacement and projection . We hope this discussion has helped clarify these two common defense mechanisms and give you some practical tools for identifying them on your exam
¶ Understanding Projection and Displacement
.
The key to consider the source and the target of the client's emotions . Is the emotion triggered from an external event and redirected onto a less threatening target , then that's displacement . If the emotion is stemming from an internal conflict or insecurity and attributed to others who are not necessarily less powerful , that's projection .
All right and , as we always say , as you study for your exam , remember .
It's in there .
It's in there .
Come on , stacey , there you go , projecting all over me again .
Hey , I'm not . You're projecting on me .
Copycat .
Oh , you're the copycat .
Am not . Are too projecting on me .
Copycat . Oh , you're the copycat .
Am not .
R2 . Am not R2 . Am not R2 .