Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Resistance and the Wounded Self: Self-Protection in Service of the Ego
1a Rainier Associates , Tacoma , Washington , USA.
Abstract:
This article describes the phenomenon of therapeutic resistance and reactance from the perspective of the wounded self. The concept of the wounded self is first presented as it is applied to anxiety and depression and then extended to anger applications. The wounded self can be seen as deeply embedded in human cognitive structures (or core beliefs) of tacit knowledge. The operation of tacit knowledge is then described in everyday life as well as in the therapeutic process. Then there is a discussion of the role of resistance and psychological reactance in psychotherapy with implications for the therapeutic alliance. Finally, a case of a resistant client with anger issues using the cognitive hypnotherapy model is presented.
Related Concept Videos
Protecting Self-Esteem
Structure of Self
Components of the Mind: Id, Ego, and...
Egoism and Altruism
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

