system: Isolation of affect is a defense mechanism in which a client feels flat or empty inside. They report that they do not feel anything. The client feels detached from others and themselves. They may escape into a front of helplessness. Related client statements: "I don't know what to do." Possible therapist responses are "Underneath that emptiness, what feelings do you have towards me?" or "You are a perceptive person, what might be underneath that cover of emptiness?"

system: Repression is a defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously pushes unpleasant thoughts, memories, and experiences out of their consciousness. This is typically done as a way to protect the individual from feeling unpleasant emotions. It can be used to avoid confronting underlying issues or feelings that need to be addressed. Clients turn anger upon the self. Their anxiety is not regulated. Symptoms are weepiness, anxiety, depression, physical psychosomatic ailments, and characteristic defenses. Related client statements: "I don’t want to talk about it, it’s too painful.” "I can’t even think about it; it’s just too overwhelming.” “I really don’t know how I feel about this; I just feel numb.” Possible therapist responses: "Where do you feel sensation in your body?"

system: A characteristic defense is a defense mechanism in which a client identifies with another person who has harmed them. The client internalizes the behavior of that person. For example, if a father was always doubting the client's capabilities, the client might often doubt themselves. Related client statements: "I could never get it right by my father. I always mess up at my job" Possible therapist responses: "You seem to treat yourself like your father treated you. Do you think that is justified and helpful to you?

system: Projection of will is a defense mechanism in which clients allow others to decide for them, rather than making decisions on their own. This could include deferring decisions regarding personal values, goals, and beliefs to those around them. It reflects an unwillingness or inability to form and execute a plan based on one's own internal desires or motivations. Example client/therapist dialogs: Client: "You seem to think I should take a look at this." Therapist: "I am not the one in therapy. Only you can know what is best for you here." Client: "My wife thinks I should go to therapy." Therapist: "That is what your wife thinks. What do you think?

system: A client deploys a vagueness defense, when they use imprecise or unclear language to avoid expressing or exploring their true emotions, thoughts, or experiences. This defense aims to maintain emotional distance, and avoid anxiety or discomfort. Example client/therapist dialogs: Client: "I felt...uncomfortable when talking to my boss. Just not a good feeling." Therapist: "I hear you saying it was uncomfortable. Can you try to put words to that discomfort? What specific emotions were you experiencing?" Client: "Well, they're my parents. I love them, of course. But we have our differences, like everyone does." Therapist: "Can you give me a specific example of a difference you have with them?"

system: When using a dismissal defense, also called devaluation, the client minimizes, trivializes, or denigrates the importance of something or someone. Example client/therapist dialogs: Client: "Therapy is pointless. It's not helping me at all." Therapist: "It sounds like you're feeling discouraged. Can you tell me more about what's making you feel that way?" Client: "My best friend ghosted me. It was no big deal. I watched TV instead." Therapist: ""Even though you say it wasn't a big deal, I noticed your voice sounded a bit sad just now. I'm wondering if there might be some feelings that you're dismissing?

system: Diversification, also called conversion, is a defense mechanism where the client changes topic to avoid talking about feelings. Example client/therapist dialogs: Client: "Boy, it was hard to park today. Is it always so busy on your street?" Therapist: "Sometimes it is. Coming back to your problem, what is the problem you would like me to help you with?" Client: "This is a nice office." Therapist: "Thanks. Coming back to your problem, what is the problem you would like me to help you with?"

system: Projection is a defense mechanism in which an individual attributes their own thoughts, feelings, or motivations onto another person. In psychotherapy, projection can be used to gain insight into the conscious and unconscious dynamics of a client’s relationships with others. Through this process of projecting one's own experiences onto another person. Example client/therapist dialogs: Client: "I think you are angry with me." Therapist: "Is there any evidence that I feel this way?" Client: "My supervisor thinks I am an idiot" Therapist: "What evidence do we have that your supervisor thinks badly of you?"

system: Intellectualization is a defense mechanism where emotional experiences are transformed into abstract thoughts and intellectual concepts, allowing the person to avoid direct contact with painful feelings by focusing on theoretical analysis, rationalization, or philosophical discussion. This creates emotional distance while maintaining the appearance of engagement with the therapeutic process. Related client statement: "I understand that my father's alcoholism likely stemmed from intergenerational trauma and societal pressures. The research shows that addiction has strong genetic components, and his demographic was particularly susceptible to substance abuse." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "I notice you're speaking about your father's alcoholism very analytically. What do you feel in your body right now as you talk about growing up with an alcoholic father?"

system: Minimization is a defense mechanism where a person downplays, trivializes, or reduces the significance of emotionally challenging experiences, relationships, or feelings to avoid experiencing the full intensity of associated pain or anxiety. Related client statement: "It wasn't really that bad when my mother left. I mean, lots of kids grow up with divorced parents, and I turned out fine." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "You're saying it wasn't 'that bad,' yet I notice your hands tightening as you speak. Could we look at what feelings come up when you let yourself acknowledge the full impact of your mother's departure?"

system: Denial is a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously refuses to acknowledge obvious facts, feelings, or experiences that would be painful or distressing to accept, creating a psychological barrier between themselves and threatening emotional realities. Related client statement: "My drinking isn't a problem at all. I just enjoy socializing, and anyone who says otherwise is exaggerating." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "While you say there's no problem, I notice you missed our last two sessions after showing up intoxicated. What feelings arise as we look at this discrepancy together?"

system: Helplessness is a defense mechanism where a person avoids anxiety and responsibility by presenting themselves as unable to cope or handle situations, deflecting from underlying anger or other difficult emotions. Related client statement: "I just can't seem to do anything right in relationships. It's hopeless - I'll never figure out how to make them work." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "I notice you're speaking as if you have no agency here. What feelings come up if you consider that you might actually have more power in relationships than you're letting yourself know?"

system: Passivity is a defense mechanism where a person takes an inactive, submissive stance to avoid responsibility, conflict, or anxiety, often masking underlying anger or aggressive impulses. Related client statement: "Whatever you think is best, doctor. You're the expert - I'll just go along with whatever you recommend." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "You're putting me in charge here. What feelings arise when you consider taking a more active stance in your own treatment?"

system: Defiance is a defense mechanism where a person actively opposes or refuses suggestions, help, or interventions as a way to avoid painful feelings or genuine engagement, often masking underlying fear or dependency needs. Related client statement: "I don't care what your fancy techniques are supposed to do. They probably won't work anyway." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "I notice how quickly you dismiss help before trying it. What feelings come up when you consider allowing yourself to depend on someone else?"

system: Displacement is a defense mechanism where emotions, particularly anger or frustration, are redirected from their original source to a less threatening target, allowing the person to avoid confronting the true source of their feelings. Related client statement: "My coworker borrowed my pen today without asking. I was so angry I had to leave the office - it's completely unacceptable behavior." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "I notice your intense anger about a borrowed pen. Could this strong reaction be connected to other situations where you've felt violated or disrespected?"

system: Passive aggression is a defense mechanism where hostility is expressed indirectly through subtle sabotage, procrastination, stubbornness, or deliberate inefficiency, allowing the person to avoid directly acknowledging or expressing their anger. Related client statement: "Oh, I forgot to do that homework assignment you gave me. I've just been so busy doing all the other things everyone expects from me." Possible ISTDP therapist's response: "I notice a pattern of 'forgetting' our assignments while highlighting how much you do for others. What feelings come up when you consider expressing your anger directly?