A patient comes in because he is having problems with his relationships. Every time he gets involved with someone in an exclusive relationship, he ends up cheating on his partner. The therapist thinks the problem comes from his relationship with his mother but, when asked about his mother and his experience growing up, he says, "I don't want to talk about it." The therapist believes he is on the right trail because the patient is displaying:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's reluctance to discuss his mother and childhood experiences suggests resistance, a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously avoids confronting distressing thoughts or feelings.

A Patient Comes in Because He Is Having Problems with His