Psychological resistance

Psychological resistance is a concept in psychology that refers to an individual's opposition to the process of psychotherapy or to the recognition and understanding of unconscious material. It is a defense mechanism that can manifest in various ways, such as denial, projection, rationalization, and repression.

Definition

Psychological resistance is defined as the unconscious defense against change that manifests as opposing or avoiding the therapeutic process. It is a natural response to the discomfort that comes with facing and dealing with unresolved issues and conflicts.

Types of Resistance

There are several types of psychological resistance, including:

• Denial: This is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts. They block external events and circumstances from their mind so that they don’t have to deal with the emotional impact.

• Projection: This is a defense mechanism where a person attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and motives to another person.

• Rationalization: This is a defense mechanism where a person tries to justify their behaviors or feelings in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid the true reasons for their behavior.

• Repression: This is a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously pushes unwanted thoughts, feelings, and memories into the unconscious mind.

Role in Psychotherapy

In psychotherapy, understanding and working through resistance is a key part of the therapeutic process. Therapists often use techniques such as reflection, interpretation, and confrontation to help clients recognize and overcome their resistance.

See Also

• Defense Mechanism
• Psychotherapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy

References

Psychological resistance Resources
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