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| Photo by Rick Hustead |
According
to Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder
John Kappas, Ph.D., even though the
behaviors are manifested consciously, defense
mechanisms only operate on a subconscious level. These subconscious devices
are designed to “protect” a person from the basic concepts, morals or other
things that individual has learned and deemed undesirable. An important feature
of a defense mechanism is that it interferes with, prevents or inhibits the
person from functioning normally.
Types
of defense mechanisms include: compensation, conversion, denial,
displacement, dissociation, fantasy, negativism, projection,
intellectualization/rationalization,
reaction
formation, repression,
sublimation and undoing.
Society even rewards some defense mechanisms such as working hard (but
sacrificing family time) to have a career.
The
most effective way to deal with a defense mechanism is on the subconscious
level: i.e., in hypnosis, Dr. Kappas advised. The hypnotherapist must keep in
mind that repression will already be in place as it is an essential component
for all defense mechanisms to function. Therefore, it is important to work with
the client’s subconscious mind to recognize, acknowledge and accept that a
defense mechanism exists and is in place. Finally, the hypnotherapist must help
the client create and learn a new subconscious
mental script to change those old behavioral patterns, he said.
“If
you don’t spot a defense mechanism in regular (cognitive) therapy, use corrective
therapy to reveal it,” Dr. Kappas advised.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified
hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors
from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more
information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an
appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2016
