Description
Day 3: Understanding and Working with Defences
How to understand the function of defences for each partner, rather than treating defensiveness simply as resistance or as a behaviour to be eliminated.
This will include:
- the purpose and necessity of defences
- what the person may be protecting themselves from
- recognising different defensive positions
- how therapists can intensify defensiveness unintentionally
- working with rather than pushing through a defence
- balancing empathy with challenge
- noticing the therapist’s own reaction to defensiveness
- helping partners understand the protective logic of each other’s responses
About Karen Murphy
Karen founded the Institute of Couples Therapy driven by her passion and commitment to this field. She dedicates herself to finding the most effective and relational ways to help couples find routes out of their difficulties. She has over a decades experience as a psychotherapist and is also an accredited supervisor.
