Gestalt therapy offers a deep exploration of various psychological barriers and defense mechanisms that can prevent individuals from recognizing and fulfilling their true needs. These barriers include confluence, projection, introjection, retroflection, proflection, and egotism. Let’s examine how each of these mechanisms is overcome during therapy.

Confluence

Confluence occurs when a person cannot distinguish their feelings, thoughts, and desires from those of others. In this state, the individual loses their sense of self, merging with the surrounding environment or another person. Overcoming this barrier involves learning to separate oneself from others, becoming aware of one’s own emotions and needs. In Gestalt therapy, this is achieved by focusing on self-awareness and feelings. The therapist helps the client recognize situations where they tend to merge with others and learn to establish boundaries between themselves and others.

Overcoming: The therapist assists the client in becoming aware of situations where they conflate with others and start separating their own feelings and desires. Through exercises that enhance awareness and the recognition of one’s emotions, the client gradually restores boundaries between themselves and others. This allows them to understand their own needs and act accordingly.

Projection

Projection arises when a person attributes their own unacceptable feelings, thoughts, or desires to others. This defense mechanism allows them to avoid responsibility for their emotions. In therapy, the client learns to acknowledge these projections and accept them as part of themselves. The therapist helps the individual understand that the feelings they attribute to others are actually their own, and that recognizing them can lead to a better understanding of themselves and their needs.

Overcoming: The client works on becoming aware of their projections and accepting that the emotions they assign to others are actually their own. The therapist helps the client acknowledge these feelings and integrate them into their consciousness, enabling them to take responsibility for their emotions and act accordingly.

Introjection

Introjection occurs when a person uncritically adopts the beliefs, thoughts, and opinions of others as their own, without examining whether they align with their own values and needs. This can lead to living according to others’ rules, losing touch with one’s true desires. Overcoming introjection involves learning to differentiate between what is genuinely their own and what has been externally imposed. The therapist encourages the client to explore their beliefs and decide which ones align with their true self and which can be discarded.

Overcoming: In therapy, the client learns to distinguish between their own beliefs and norms and those imposed by others. The therapist supports the client in exploring these introjects and helps them develop a value system that aligns with their true needs.

Deflection

Deflection is a defense mechanism where a person avoids direct contact with others or their own feelings. They focus on something that allows them to avoid emotional involvement, which can lead to superficial and insincere relationships. Direct contact or emotional involvement is avoided by diverting attention or changing the subject.

Overcoming: The therapist encourages the client to stay in contact with their feelings and situations without avoiding them. It is important to learn to be present in the moment, maintaining focus on one’s sensations and emotions. This helps create genuine contact with oneself and others.

Retroflection

Retroflection occurs when a person directs feelings that should be expressed externally inward. For example, instead of expressing anger toward someone, they may direct that anger at themselves, often leading to self-criticism or physical symptoms. Overcoming retroflection involves learning to express emotions directly rather than turning them inward. The therapist helps the client find healthy ways to express their feelings and develop the ability to interact with others openly.

Overcoming: The therapist helps the client understand how they direct energy inward instead of expressing it outwardly. It is important to recognize these moments and begin to express feelings openly, finding healthy ways to interact with the environment.

Proflection

Proflection is a combination of projection and retroflection. It occurs when a person expects others to do something they actually want to do themselves. For instance, a person may expect others to support them when, in fact, they want to support others. Overcoming this barrier involves recognizing one’s own needs and taking responsibility for fulfilling them instead of expecting others to do so.

Overcoming: In therapy, the client learns to become aware of their expectations and understand that they are actually their own desires or needs. The therapist helps the client take responsibility for these desires and begin fulfilling them independently rather than waiting for others to do so.

Egotism

Egotism arises when a person is overly focused on themselves, hindering the natural flow of contact with others. This can manifest as self-isolation or excessive analysis of their feelings and thoughts. In Gestalt therapy, overcoming egotism involves developing openness to others and the world around them. The client learns to reduce excessive self-focus and become more spontaneous in interactions with others.

Overcoming: Therapy aims to help the client reduce excessive self-focus and become more open to others. This is achieved by developing spontaneity and flexibility in interactions, as well as by reducing controlling behaviors.

The Fulfillment of Needs after Overcoming Defenses

When the client overcomes psychological barriers and defense mechanisms, they begin to better understand their true needs and find ways to fulfill them. Importantly, this process includes not only awareness of desires but also active steps to satisfy them. The client becomes more independent, self-confident, and able to interact effectively with others while remaining true to their authentic needs and values.

Gestalt therapy helps individuals navigate the complex journey from defense to the conscious fulfillment of needs, ultimately leading to a more balanced and harmonious life.

Overcoming psychological barriers and defense mechanisms in Gestalt therapy is a gradual process that helps individuals transition from a state of defense and alienation to awareness and realization.