Making Friends with Defenses

Abstract

This chapter presents a unique experiential TSM intervention module the therapeutic spiral model calls the manager of defenses. It is a two-part experiential intervention. Step 1 is to concretize a place to hold defenses psychologically and physically. Step 2 is to create the manager of defenses to determine when defenses are needed and when they are automatic. We first present the three categories of defenses we have named for the therapeutic spiral model: (1) survival, (2) obsessions and compulsions, and (3) maladaptive defenses (Hudgins, Experiential treatment for PTSD: The therapeutic spiral model. Springer Publishing Company, 2002). We examine how survival defenses are often triggered in experiential work with trauma survivors. We demonstrate how to create a space for defenses where they can be held away from interrupting the drama. We introduce you to the Wobble (Forst, Wobble diagram, 2017) concept of defenses being either intrusive, like flashbacks, body memories, uncontrolled regression, and negative thinking, or avoidant like dissociation, denial, and multiple states of consciousness. We present warm-ups to help people spontaneously make friends with their defenses, rather than letting the defenses take over. This chapter provides step-by-step instructions for how to develop this new prescriptive role of the manager of defenses using role taking, role playing, and role creating. Role reversal leads to the deepest connection to the new role of the manager in action. Interesting examples around the world show how spontaneity and creativity are core to the development of this last prescriptive role.