The Concept of Resistance in Self Psychology

Self psychology views resistances as protecting a vulnerable self. Resistances are seen as efforts to maintain levels of organization that patients have achieved within the context of their traumatic life situation. Patients feel able to move forward in the treatment when the importance of their need to maintain their developmental position is understood. This view is in contrast to the traditional view of resistances as treatment interferences that must be overcome as they defend against awareness of impulses and allow for unconscious instinctual gratification.