Supportive psychotherapy and defense mechanisms: A Comment on the case of Matilde

Abstract

The “Case of Matilde” provides us with an important example of how the in-depth study of a single psychotherapy case can shed light on concepts that lie at the very heart of the psychotherapy debate. The therapeutic relationship, patient defense mechanisms, and therapeutic technique are foundational elements of psychodynamic psychotherapy, understanding their interaction will help guide research and practice.

Keywords

• single case
• defense mechanism
• therapeutic relationship
• therapeutic technique