Working with Defenses

Many ( Abbass, 2015 ; Frederickson, 2013 ) consider Davanloo’s (1980 ; 1990 ) technical innovations for handling defense and resistance to be his greatest contribution to the practice of dynamic psychotherapy. The tight focus on defenses from the inception of treatment is also the most controversial aspect of his work. This chapter will review the concepts involved in the mechanisms of defense, will provide a working definition of defense and resistance, and will outline a detailed schema for the conceptualization and handling of these dynamic forces within the treatment setting. The work of those clinicians most directly affecting the development of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) will be highlighted.