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How to Identify the Client's Primary Psychological Defense: A Step-by-Step Algorithm and Working with "Mriyaran" Tools
In psychotherapeutic practice, the ability to quickly and accurately identify the primary mechanism of psychological defense is key to effective work. Defenses are not "enemies," but ways the psyche tries to protect itself from pain, chaos, or disintegration.
Below is a detailed 5-step algorithm for determining the main defense, expanded with practical explanations and methods for applying "Mriyaran" tools.
STEP 1. What is the psyche protecting itself from?
The first stage is identifying the root of the anxiety. It is necessary to understand what specific threat forced the psyche to build a wall.
- From a fact (that "does not exist") arises denial.
- From emotions (the fact exists, but without feelings) arises isolation of affect.
- From ambivalence ("either-or", without integration) arises splitting.
- From one's own feelings/impulses (placing them onto another) arises projection.
- From powerlessness (gaining "power" through someone else's aggression) arises identification with the aggressor.
- From a feeling of chaos/threat of disintegration (through the body) arises somatization.
- From the uncontrollability of life (the illusion that "everything depends on me") arises omnipotent control.
- From excessive trauma (separation from oneself, "I am not me") arises dissociation.
Practical Example:
A client talks about a difficult divorce in a completely calm, monotonous voice, as if reading a report. The facts are acknowledged, but the emotional pain is absent. This is a classic isolation of affect.
How to use "Mriyaran" tools:
At this stage, metaphoric associative cards (MAC) from the "Mriyaran" decks, aimed at working with the shadow or hidden emotions, work perfectly. Ask the client to draw a card blindly in response to the question: «What is really behind this situation?» or «What feeling is hidden deepest right now?». This bypasses rationalization and gives the psyche the opportunity to show what it is running from.
STEP 2. What is the method of reality distortion?
Each defense distorts the perception of reality in its own way to make it "safe" for the client. Pay attention to the mechanics of this distortion:
- The fact is denied — this is denial.
- The fact is acknowledged, but the feelings are "sterilized" — this is isolation of affect.
- The experience is "projected" into another — this is projection.
- Reality splits ("ideal/monster") — this is splitting.
- The experience is "moved" into the body — this is somatization.
- I become the aggressor so as not to be the victim — this is identification with the aggressor.
- Everything is under my or someone else's "omnipotent" control — this is omnipotence.
- I disconnect from myself as if it is not happening to me — this is dissociation.
Practical Example:
A female client constantly complains that her partner is "angry and always wants conflict," although in sessions she exhibits hidden passive aggression and provokes arguments. She does not acknowledge her own anger, so her experience is projected onto another.
How to use "Mriyaran" tools:
Use spatial tools or plot cards. Ask the client to choose two cards (face up): 1) «How my mind sees this situation» and 2) «What this situation is really like». The difference between these cards often visually demonstrates the method of distortion.
STEP 3. What organizes the narrative?
Listen not only to what the client says, but how they say it. There are always recurring patterns in the narrative.
- You need to pay attention to what line is repeated in the statements.
- Determine what organizes the client's narrative: is it phrases like "this is not with me," "it's their fault," "it's all my fault," or the position "he is either a genius or an idiot"?
Practical Example:
In a man's story about colleagues, the motif of betrayal constantly appears. First, he idolizes new acquaintances, and a month later abruptly devalues them. This black-and-white language indicates splitting.
How to use "Mriyaran" tools:
Use text cards with incomplete sentences from the "Mriyaran" arsenal. Ask the client to choose the phrases that sound most often in their head. This helps externalize their narrative and look at it from the outside.
STEP 4. What does the therapist feel (countertransference)?
Your own feelings in the session are a powerful diagnostic tool.
- You, as a therapist, begin to feel powerless — this indicates omnipotent control on the client's part.
- Doubt arises regarding your own competence — this is a sign of projection.
- A feeling appears that "there is no contact, everything is sterile" — this is a consequence of isolation of affect.
- A feeling arises that the client "changes abruptly: from love to hate" — this indicates splitting.
Practical Example:
During a session, the therapist suddenly catches themselves thinking: "I am a terrible specialist." It is highly likely that the client is projecting their own feeling of worthlessness onto the therapist.
How to use "Mriyaran" tools (for therapist's self-reflection):
After a difficult session, draw one resource card for yourself: «What exactly am I containing instead of the client right now?». This will help regain therapeutic stability.
STEP 5. Choosing the primary defense
A person rarely uses only one defense mechanism. The specialist's task is to find the core.
- You need to look at which specific mechanism does the most work of "holding the Ego" in this particular case.
- Other defenses can play a supporting role, but the primary one is always the one that most strongly determines the overall picture of the narrative and behavior.
Practical Example:
A client with PTSD may demonstrate both denial and somatization. But if, when talking about the trauma, they seem to "fly out" of their body and talk about themselves in the third person, dissociation is the primary mechanism.
How to use "Mriyaran" tools (Integration):
Suggest that the client work with a resource deck. Ask: «What will help you feel safe if we lower this shield a little?». This will help form new, healthier supports.
Insights from MriyaRun:
- Movement as a metaphor for mental progress: Psychological defenses are not walls to be destroyed, but stages of continuous mental movement. When we understand what the client is protecting themselves from, we help them move forward more consciously.
- Design matters: Rationalization and isolation of affect are much easier to bypass when a tool has a clean, convenient, and modern visual design. Psychological depth is revealed best when the client is not distracted by visual noise.
Product link options for the article:
- For Step 1 (What is the psyche protecting itself from?): "Children of the Underworld" MAC Deck To help the client look into their shadow processes and uncover hidden emotions, use our deep metaphorical deck. All 150 cards, divided into three parts, are designed to safely work with complex states and hidden anxieties.
- For Steps 2 and 3 (Methods of distortion and narrative): "RedLines" Practicum This tool is ideal for identifying projections, splitting, and boundary violations. The current version contains exactly 49 stories that help the client externalize their internal conflicts and see exactly how they distort reality in relationships.
- For Step 5 (Choosing the defense and building new supports): "CBT SHIFT: Reboot" Workbook Once the primary defense is identified, it is essential to provide the client with new supports. The third part of our cognitive-behavioral workbook series, "Reboot", is a structured practicum designed to safely "reboot" thinking patterns without relying on rigid defense mechanisms.