ABSTRACT
All clients at various times in therapy manifest resistance to the process. This resistance, which at times can be daunting for the group therapist, is positively correlated that the therapist has come close to an ongoing conflict in the client. Thus it ushers in the ego defense mechanisms due to the escalating anxiety that has been held in place guarding the client’s lack of awareness of the conflict. It can be thought of as a wall protecting the ego. It does not matter what paradigm the group therapist chooses to work from, the ego defense mechanisms will work against the client becoming conscious of his or her conflicts. Therefore it is in the interest of the group therapist to be familiar with the ego defense mechanisms in order to foster awareness for the client.
