Defense Styles Workshop

 Understanding Unconscious Coping and Its Impact on Mental Health 

This engaging session explores the concept of psychological defense mechanisms—unconscious strategies we all use to manage difficult emotions like anxiety, shame, or self-doubt. Drawing on current research and clinical theory, the workshop examines how different defense styles—mature, neurotic, and immature—shape our personality, relationships, and emotional resilience. 

Participants will learn: 

• How defense mechanisms function to protect the self from emotional overwhelm 

• The difference between healthy (mature) and less effective (immature) defenses 

• How over-reliance on immature defenses is linked to poorer mental health outcomes 

• Gender differences in defensive styles and expression 

• How defenses play out in individuals, teams, and systems 

We’ll use the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) to explore a range of common defense mechanisms, from suppression and humour to projection and dissociation. Participants will reflect on their own patterns, with opportunities for discussion and application to trauma-informed practice. 

Ideal for clinicians, supervisors, and team leaders, this session offers practical insights to deepen self-awareness and enhance psychological flexibility—key to sustainable work in trauma-exposed environments.