Key Psychodynamic Concepts In Couple Therapy

Course overview

Arthur Nielsen, MD, writes that understanding projective identification offers a powerful lens through which therapists can examine and treat marital dysfunction and discontent. Projective Identification is a defense mechanism by which individuals unconsciously recruit others to help them tolerate painful intrapsychic states of mind. Once therapists grasp the psychodynamics of projective identification, then, using tact and empathy, they will be able to significantly help couples become more self-reflective and aware of the minds of their partners. In this interview, Dr Nielsen uses a number of clinical examples to demonstrate this.