quote:

the goal in terms of defenses is to replace the lower ones with healthier ones like suppression, humor...or at least to the neurotic ones like intellectualization or repression.

I think xoxo summed it up really well here. My T reminds me that we're slowly replacing old coping mechanisms with new ones, and at one point, those defense mechanisms that are now not helpful were the sole reason we were able to endure things in our past. In addition, it's not as if we remove them all and leave empty space in their place, otherwise we'd go right back to those old defenses. Instead, we practice new, more healthy tools in therapy, and then take them into the real world, where eventually, they replace the old ones.

dang it! i can't seem to recall who, but somebody made reference to the psychotherapy networker site, and there's an awesome article that rather peaks my interest and think it may be of use to you. here it is:
http://www.psychotherapynetwor...ditation-isnt-enough
if you'd have asked me about this a year ago i would have blown it off as "out there". but now that i'm a little more accepting of myself it rather intrigues me. it's about internal family systems on an individual level. "parts". since being a contributor to these forums i have decided that "parts" are for victims of childhood abuse. but i've come to believe that it extends to just about everybody. i've only just discovered this so don't have a lot of "wisdom" to share with you, but i think it may help in answering your question. TAS, good luck on your journey and keep asking questions.

ahhh!!! it was xoxo! on the forum "Science of Psychology related discussion/Inner Family Systems-Inner Child Work" ... really good stuff, i think.

You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for the replies...and thanks closed doors for the article reference...I will be checking it out!

Thanks,
T.