Defense Work

Psychoanalysis has long understood defenses as ways of protecting ourselves from feelings, impulses, and conflicts that feel too threatening to experience.

We intellectualize. Detach. Minimize. Change the subject. Turn anger against ourselves.

When defenses become habitual, they can become woven into character itself. Wilhelm Reich called this character armor. He also described muscular armor: the ways defensive patterns can become embodied in chronic tension, restricted breathing, posture, movement, and bodily inhibition.

Different psychodynamic and experiential therapies approach defenses in different ways.

In ISTDP, the defense may be brought directly into awareness and challenged as it happens:

“You smile whenever you begin talking about how much this hurt. What happens if we notice the smile and see what feeling is underneath it?”

AEDP works more gently, creating enough emotional safety and connection for defenses to soften, allowing access to the core affect underneath.

Hakomi sometimes works paradoxically by supporting the defense rather than trying to remove it. In a technique called taking over, the therapist temporarily takes over the work of the defense. If someone is constantly vigilant, for example, the therapist might offer, “I’ll keep watch for a moment. You don’t have to.” With the protective work temporarily supported, the person can notice what happens when they no longer have to maintain it themselves.

IFS understands the defense as a protector. Rather than trying to get past it, we turn toward it, become curious about its fears and intentions, and develop its trust before approaching what it protects.

Some approaches challenge the defense.

Some soften it.

Some support it.

Some befriend it.

But all respect its function, the deep intelligence behind it, and the history that made it necessary.