#how to de-escalate client conflicts

[kopfconsulting]

Client relationships can make or break your business, but they don’t need to break you. Learn how to manage emotions, spot toxic interactions, and maintain mental and physical well-being when dealing with challenging clients.

[unbidden-yidden-deactivated20240]

I feel myself having so much less patience these days, and I don't like it.

Patience and compassion and kindness are things that must be cultivated like tender plants - they grow by the inch and die by the foot.

Seeing into someone's heart is something that takes a little effort, but the way to do it is by reframing your outlook, like you might adjust your vision to see through water. There are layers to a person, and you have to look past what they say or do on the surface in order to get to their true motivations.

And it takes patience and holding space for people, because they are used to operating in an unsafe environment. It's like when you go to the pond, you're not likely to see frogs right away. You might need to sit quietly for a half hour before the frogs re-emerge and float to the surface. But once you see them, suddenly there are frogs everywhere! You just had to wait until your mind allowed you to take them in. People's vulnerabilities and intentions are the same way. You might need to wait a while until the person is sure you are safe to be around, or they might have been exhibiting all of those vulnerabilities and motivations pretty openly; you just couldn't tell until you knew what you were looking for.

This gets much, much harder to do when you yourself don't feel safe, especially when you aren't (or feel like you aren't) being seen as human. You also (obviously) must see the other person as equally human to yourself, or this doesn't work. Perhaps a broken, deeply flawed person; but a person nonetheless.

I work in the domestic violence field, and so I end up talking to a lot of abusers in my professional life on behalf of my clients. I've found that it helps a lot to be kind. Why? Not because it's deserved, but because it's unexpected. They come into the situation ready to fight and argue, and instead, I speak to them kindly and explain why what my clients are asking for is in everyone's best interests. This seems to deflate them pretty immediately. They come into the situation thinking I'm the boss level for "fights with my ex (or whatever)" and then I listen. I take them out of earshot of my client, I let them vent (which helps me figure out what they actually want) and then I patiently explain our position and how we're offering to resolve the situation. And you know what? It works. A lot of the time, they were expecting me to treat them like a monster. But they're not a monster; they're a person who has done some inexcusable and horrific things, but they remain a person. I think about both my abusive exes, and the truth is that they're both people I loved, and loved for a reason. I wouldn't want someone else to hurt them (even if it was in cruel words only) just because they hurt me. Sometimes, the abuser is the father (or mother) of the client's children. There is typically always anger, but what good does it do for me to vent that anger for my client? Who does it help? Nobody. If we can't agree, then fine. I will do my job of asking the tough questions without mercy. But before that? Far better to de-escalate if possible.

Another conflict resolution thing: you have to remove the aggressive third parties that are angry on one side or the other's behalf. They tend to aggravate the party and escalate the situation by talking in the person's ear and saying how unfair this is and generally making it about their own feelings rather than problem solving.

But here too, finding out where the third parties who have involved themselves in the situation actually want is critical to diffusing this as well. They are people who are righteously (at least in their mind) angry on behalf of one of the parties because they love them and this has activated their protective side. And sometimes people really do need an advocate, yes. But sometimes (a lot of times) these third parties actually get in the way of de-escalation and problem solving.

All of this requires patience, effort, cultivation. And I work hard to do that. But lately my patience has been worn thin by too many people seeing me as subhuman, and it's really starting to wear on me.

[itsnobodysproblem]

The resident patient p3

(live reactions)

"Bitter, very very bitter."

Watson why do you think every possible insult is aimed at you

It wasn't even an insult here. I mean he licked something then said a taste jfc

MAGNETS? What in the escape room

The nurse the nurse the nurse

This is... New. A client getting angry with them like that.

John really knows how to de-escalate conflicts doesn't he? And calm people down (Sherlock, in p1). I didn't really notice until now. I mean maybe I did but not consciously.

Well I'm glad I didn't see that.

Ohhhh Watson that is cleverrrrrrr ily

(So that's why the journalist was relevant)

Is Sherlock strangling someone again

"An unlikely couple but it takes all sorts, I suppose. Opposites attract I heard, Watson."

*looks into the camera*

Ok I really liked this case actually. Really intense. And creepy. Especially p2. And actually some really sweet moments.

(and also I loved John before but I think I do jusst a little bit more now)

[lenquinn53]

Behind the Scenes of the Best Property Management Operations 

We often see the polished exterior of well-managed properties, but few realize the intricate systems and relentless dedication behind them. The best property management firms operate with the precision of a well-oiled machine, balancing tenant needs, owner expectations, legal obligations, and financial performance. This article takes you behind the curtain to reveal how top-tier management firms deliver exceptional results every day. 

Foundational Philosophy 

Service with Strategy 

Customer service is essential, but without a guiding strategy, it can become reactive and ineffective. The best property management firms ground every decision in strategic thinking. From staffing choices to tenant engagement practices, every action supports long-term property success. 

Integrity in Every Interaction 

Trust is not optional—it’s foundational. The best property management teams act with honesty, fairness, and transparency. Whether communicating with tenants or reporting to property owners, they uphold the highest ethical standards. 

Mastering the Tenant Journey 

Onboarding with Precision 

First impressions last. The best property management process for onboarding new tenants includes clear communication, thorough inspections, and informative orientation. Tenants begin their lease with confidence, reducing early misunderstandings or complaints. 

Managing Conflict Without Escalation 

Not all tenant situations are smooth. The best property management experts are trained to de-escalate tensions, mediate effectively, and find solutions that work for both parties. Their conflict resolution strategies reduce turnover and improve community harmony. 

Administrative Excellence 

Efficient Documentation 

Leases, notices, receipts—property management involves tons of paperwork. The best property management firms organize, store, and process these documents with digital precision. This reduces errors, protects stakeholders, and improves operational speed. 

Reporting That Tells the Truth 

Owners need the full picture. The best property management teams offer detailed monthly reports that go beyond numbers—they interpret trends, flag concerns, and suggest improvements. This empowers owners to make proactive decisions with confidence. 

Asset Protection and Enhancement 

Property Care with Purpose 

Maintenance isn’t just about fixing things—it’s about preserving and enhancing value. The best property management firms schedule seasonal checks, use high-quality materials, and follow up on all repairs. The result is a property that ages gracefully and attracts better tenants. 

Insurance and Risk Mitigation 

Accidents happen, but they shouldn’t cripple your investments. The best property management firms maintain updated insurance policies, conduct safety inspections, and ensure all compliance requirements are met. Their risk-conscious approach protects assets from avoidable losses. 

Long-Term Client Partnerships 

Owner-Focused Innovation 

Every property owner wants something different. The best property management providers tailor their offerings based on client preferences and portfolio goals. From sustainability efforts to market repositioning, they act as partners in growth. 

Always Learning, Always Evolving 

Stagnation kills success. The best property management firms invest in training, attend industry conferences, and adapt quickly to changes. Their agility ensures they stay relevant and effective in a constantly evolving market. 

Conclusion 

What happens behind the scenes determines the success you see in front. The best property management operations are built on integrity, intelligence, and innovation. They turn chaos into clarity, frustration into opportunity, and properties into profitable powerhouses. If you want more than just a manager, choose the best property management team that works like a true business partner. 

[jamesvince9898]

Brave Warrior Security Services: Your Local Partner for Trusted and Professional Private Security Solutions

Introduction: In an unpredictable world, the importance of professional security cannot be overstated. From commercial properties to private residences, every space deserves vigilant protection. Brave Warrior Security Services is a top-tier private security company dedicated to delivering reliable, effective, and community-driven solutions for those searching for a security guard company near me. Whether you need patrolling, surveillance, or a dependable unarmed security guard near me, our trained personnel are equipped to serve with integrity and vigilance. We take pride in safeguarding people, property, and peace of mind with unmatched dedication.

The Need for Local Security Guard Services

Security concerns are not just reserved for high-profile organizations; small businesses, residential complexes, schools, and public venues all face risks from theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry. This growing demand has led many to search for a security guard company near me that offers a balance of affordability, professionalism, and reliability.

Brave Warrior Security Services understands the value of local knowledge. Our guards are familiar with the neighborhoods they serve, allowing them to respond quickly to incidents and remain aware of potential regional threats. Whether you’re securing an event or deterring trespassers at night, having a local team enhances your ability to act decisively and efficiently.

Why Choose a Private Security Company?

Unlike public law enforcement agencies, which are reactive by design, a private security company operates proactively. Brave Warrior Security Services provides customized solutions that adapt to each client’s specific needs. Our guards are not only trained to observe and report, but to intervene when necessary, de-escalate situations, and liaise with emergency services if required.

Choosing a private security company offers several advantages:

24/7 Availability: Constant protection, whether during business hours or overnight.

Tailored Security Plans: Customizable services for homes, offices, retail, industrial properties, and events.

Rapid Response Time: Immediate local support with minimal delay.

Visible Deterrence: Presence alone can significantly reduce the likelihood of criminal activity.

Our approach goes beyond basic watchkeeping—we are committed to building a culture of safety and vigilance.

Professional Unarmed Security Guard Services

When people search for an unarmed security guard near me, they are typically looking for personnel who can deliver professional surveillance and deterrence without the use of weapons. Our unarmed guards are ideal for situations that demand a firm but non-threatening presence, such as:

Office Buildings

Retail Stores

Medical Facilities

Construction Sites

Residential Communities

Educational Institutions

Every unarmed security guard from Brave Warrior Security Services is screened, background-checked, and trained in:

Access control and visitor management

Conflict resolution and de-escalation tactics

Emergency evacuation procedures

Report writing and incident documentation

Patrolling and surveillance techniques

Our guards are the front line in promoting order and preventing escalation, all while maintaining a calm and approachable demeanor.

Security Solutions Tailored for Every Industry

Brave Warrior Security Services serves a wide range of industries, each with its own unique set of challenges and requirements. Here’s how our services meet the diverse needs of different sectors:

Corporate & Office Security

Protecting employees, data, and assets is a high priority. Our security personnel manage access control, monitor surveillance systems, and maintain a safe environment.

Retail Security

Shoplifting and employee theft are constant concerns. Our guards actively patrol retail environments, observe suspicious behavior, and deter criminal acts.

Construction Site Security

With valuable equipment and materials on-site, construction zones are prime targets. We offer perimeter patrols, gate control, and incident response to keep your project secure.

Event Security

From festivals to private functions, we manage crowd control, ticket validation, entry screening, and emergency preparedness.

Residential & Community Security

HOAs and apartment complexes rely on us to deter loitering, enforce policies, and maintain a peaceful living environment.

Committed to Community and Integrity

As a local security guard company near me, Brave Warrior Security Services operates with a community-first mindset. We believe that effective security starts with understanding the local environment, forming relationships with residents and businesses, and fostering trust.

Our core values—Professionalism, Integrity, and Responsiveness—are the foundation of our service model. We don’t just send guards; we provide trained representatives who embody these values and uphold your safety standards.

Advanced Training and Certification

Our recruitment and training process ensures only the best become part of the Brave Warrior team. Each guard undergoes:

Initial Screening and Background Check

Classroom and Field Training

Customer Service Orientation

Ongoing Education and Performance Reviews

Our commitment to excellence ensures you never need to worry about the professionalism or preparedness of the personnel safeguarding your property.

Technology-Driven Security Services

In addition to manpower, we enhance our services through smart technology. We integrate:

Real-Time GPS Tracking of Patrols

Incident Reporting Apps

Surveillance System Monitoring

Electronic Check-In Systems for Guard Tours

By combining trained personnel with innovative technology, we increase visibility, accountability, and efficiency in every job we take on.

Flexible Contracts and Transparent Pricing

One of the concerns that come with hiring a private security company is hidden fees and long-term contracts. At Brave Warrior Security Services, we pride ourselves on offering:

Flexible service agreements: Short-term and long-term options available.

Clear and upfront pricing: No surprise charges.

Scalable solutions: Easily increase or decrease services based on seasonal needs, expansion, or downsizing.

Our mission is to offer security solutions that are not only effective but also cost-efficient and adaptable to your evolving needs.

Locally Trusted, Widely Respected

When people in your community search for an unarmed security guard near me, they’re looking for someone they can trust. Brave Warrior Security Services is more than just a vendor—we are your partner in protection. Our reputation has been built on years of dependable service, local commitment, and a proven track record of preventing incidents before they happen.

We maintain strong relationships with local law enforcement and emergency services to ensure a coordinated response when needed. Our visibility in the community contributes to a sense of order and confidence among residents and businesses alike.

How to Get Started with Brave Warrior Security Services

Whether you’re dealing with an immediate concern or planning long-term security improvements, Brave Warrior Security Services is ready to step in. Getting started is simple:

Initial Consultation – Contact us to discuss your needs, budget, and environment.

On-Site Assessment – We evaluate the area and identify vulnerabilities.

Customized Proposal – Receive a tailored security plan with transparent pricing.

Deployment – Guards are assigned, briefed, and placed under a manager’s supervision.

Ongoing Support – We provide continuous oversight, periodic reporting, and adapt services as needed.

We understand that security is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you're a business owner, property manager, or event organizer, our team is here to provide the dependable protection you deserve.

[korshubudemycoursesblog]

Tune In, Don’t Tune Out: Master Listening to Transform Your Relationships

Have you ever felt like you're talking, but no one’s truly hearing you? Or maybe you’ve been the one nodding along while your mind’s elsewhere? We all do it. Life is busy. Distractions are constant. But here’s the thing: the secret to deeper, more fulfilling relationships isn't in saying more — it’s in listening better.

When you master listening to transform your relationships, you're not just picking up on words. You're tapping into emotions, unspoken needs, and building unshakable trust.

In this blog, we’re diving into how mastering the art of listening can quite literally transform the way you connect with people — be it your partner, family, friends, colleagues, or clients.

Why Most People Are Terrible at Listening (and Don’t Even Know It)

Let’s be honest. We think we’re good listeners because we hear words and maybe respond in the right spots. But real listening? That’s a deeper skill.

Here’s what most people do instead:

Wait to talk instead of actually absorbing the message

Mentally multitask — scrolling phones, checking emails

Jump to solutions when someone just needs to vent

Interrupt or finish sentences (ouch, we’ve all been there)

This kind of "half-listening" creates a disconnect. Over time, it leads to resentment, misunderstandings, and emotional distance.

What’s worse? People feel when they’re not truly heard. And when someone feels unheard, they start shutting down.

Now imagine doing the opposite — fully tuning in. That’s where the magic starts.

The Power of Deep Listening: What Changes When You Truly Hear Someone

Listening goes beyond ears. It’s about attention, intention, and empathy.

When you master listening:

People open up more easily

Conflicts de-escalate

You build emotional safety

Trust deepens organically

You become someone others value being around

Whether you're managing a team, raising a child, or navigating romantic dynamics, listening empowers you to respond, not just react.

Imagine the difference between hearing your partner say they’re tired vs. noticing the tone in their voice, the heaviness in their eyes, and asking, “Is something weighing you down today?” That moment of care? It’s relationship gold.

Listening Is a Learnable Skill (Yes, Even for You)

Here’s the best news: effective listening isn’t a talent reserved for therapists or empaths. It’s a learnable, repeatable skill — and one that you can sharpen intentionally.

The key lies in understanding the psychology of communication, practicing presence, and using the right listening techniques consistently.

That’s exactly what the course Master Listening to Transform Your Relationships on Korshub empowers you to do. It’s not about being passive — it’s about being powerfully present.

Let’s unpack some of the principles you’ll begin to adopt.

1. The Art of Listening Without Fixing

Sometimes people don’t want answers — they want validation.

You might be wired to solve problems (especially in work or parenting roles), but what many crave is just to be understood. The “fix-it” reflex, while well-meaning, can unintentionally send a message: “Your feelings make me uncomfortable.”

Powerful listeners hold space. They resist the urge to solve too quickly and instead reflect, validate, and explore with curiosity.

Try this next time: Instead of “Here’s what you should do,” ask, “That sounds really tough — do you want advice or just someone to hear you out?”

2. Listening With Your Eyes, Not Just Your Ears

Research shows that over 70% of communication is non-verbal.

This means we communicate with tone, facial expressions, posture, eye movement — even silence. A great listener watches as much as they hear.

When you master listening in relationships, you become attuned to:

The look behind someone’s smile

The pause before they speak

The change in their voice when they say, “I’m fine”

And guess what? This attunement makes people feel safe — like you get them without them needing to over-explain.

3. Stop Listening Through a Filter of “Me”

We all do it: filter conversations through our own experiences.

Someone talks about a bad day, and you chime in with your stressful week. While it can build relatability, overdoing this can feel like hijacking the conversation.

Instead, shift from “relating” to “reflecting.” Ask follow-up questions that show interest in their world, not yours.

Examples:

“What happened next?”

“How did that make you feel?”

“What do you need right now?”

These subtle shifts make a huge impact.

4. Silence Is a Superpower

Silence makes many of us uncomfortable. But in real connection, pauses create space for vulnerability.

Instead of rushing to fill gaps, try leaning into them. It shows you’re not just listening — you’re absorbing.

Great listeners know: the most meaningful things are often said after a moment of silence.

5. Listening Heals More Than Talking Ever Will

Whether it’s emotional wounds in romantic relationships, trust breakdowns at work, or friction with family — listening can begin to heal what talking alone cannot.

By being the kind of person who truly listens, you start shifting the emotional climate around you. You’ll notice:

Fewer conflicts

More cooperation

Deeper honesty

Greater emotional intimacy

And the kicker? People will start listening to you more, too.

How This Course Helps You Transform Your Listening Superpowers

If you’re thinking, “This sounds powerful, but I need help getting there,” you’re not alone.

That’s where Master Listening to Transform Your Relationships shines.

This course on Korshub (powered by Udemy) breaks down the exact steps to go from a passive hearer to a powerful, present listener.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to break bad listening habits ✅ The psychology of emotional connection ✅ Tools to listen during conflict (not just when it’s easy) ✅ How to create emotional safety in any conversation ✅ Exercises to strengthen your listening presence daily

It’s not just about relationships — it’s about transforming the way you show up in every part of your life.

Real-Life Scenarios Where Listening Changes Everything

Let’s paint a few pictures:

🔹 In Your Marriage

Your spouse is sharing something stressful. You resist the urge to fix, and instead ask, “Want to talk more about it?” They open up like never before. That’s connection.

🔹 At Work

A teammate seems distant. You ask how they’re really doing. You listen without judgment. They share burnout concerns — and now you’re seen as a safe ally, not just a coworker.

🔹 With Your Kids

Your teenager snaps at you. Instead of reacting, you say, “I’m here when you’re ready.” When they do talk, you truly listen. Trust blooms.

Listening Doesn’t Take Time — It Creates It

Think listening takes too much effort? It actually saves hours of miscommunication, conflict, and emotional detachment.

When people feel heard:

Instructions don’t have to be repeated

Fights don’t drag on

Emotional intimacy becomes effortless

In short, listening isn’t a time cost — it’s a time creator.

Final Thoughts: The Best Version of You Is a Better Listener

When you commit to mastering listening, you’ll start noticing something remarkable: everything changes.

People trust you more. They gravitate toward you. They feel at ease in your presence. Your relationships become deeper, more connected, more honest.

Listening isn’t a soft skill. It’s a superpower — one that transforms not just your relationships, but your entire emotional ecosystem.

So if you're ready to start listening like your relationships depend on it (because they do), now’s the time.

Start your journey with the course that’s already transforming lives: 👉 Master Listening to Transform Your Relationships

[cecestudies]

What Sets Sacramento’s Security Guard Companies Apart?

Sacramento stands out for its commitment to safety, and Onguard Security Guard Services Los Angeles is proud to extend its expertise to the region. What truly distinguishes security guard companies Sacramento relies on is their blend of professionalism, local knowledge, and 24/7 responsiveness. These companies understand the city’s dynamic security needs, offering tailored solutions for residential, commercial, and government spaces. Trained personnel, advanced technology, and flexible patrol schedules ensure comprehensive protection. Onguard delivers reliable and proactive services that align with Sacramento’s safety expectations. From preventing theft to managing large events, our commitment to excellence and community trust sets us apart as a preferred choice among Sacramento's top-tier security providers. Experience security that goes beyond the basics.

Deep Understanding of Local Security Challenges in Sacramento

One of the reasons security guard companies Sacramento stands out is their detailed knowledge of the city's unique safety needs. From busy downtown districts to quieter residential neighborhoods, these companies are trained to handle location-specific challenges. Their familiarity with local crime patterns, event schedules, and high-risk areas allows them to deploy guards more effectively. Unlike national chains that often use a one-size-fits-all model, local companies customize their approach for Sacramento’s diverse communities. This tailored expertise ensures quicker response times and better threat prevention, which builds confidence among business owners and residents alike. Sacramento’s fast-paced urban environment demands proactive protection—and that’s exactly what sets these local professionals apart.

Highly Trained Guards with Specialization in Multiple Sectors

The guards employed by security guard companies Sacramento businesses rely on are rigorously trained for a wide range of settings. Whether it’s a healthcare facility, construction site, retail store, or government building, these professionals come equipped with specialized knowledge. Training typically includes emergency response, conflict de-escalation, crowd control, and the use of surveillance technology. Many companies also provide guards with certification in CPR and first aid. This diverse skill set allows for smooth operations in virtually any scenario. The ability to transition between roles—from concierge-level customer service to active incident response—demonstrates the professionalism that local businesses value most in a trusted security partner.

Advanced Surveillance Tools and Real-Time Monitoring Capabilities

Technology plays a major role in how security guard companies Sacramento stay ahead of threats. Today’s security isn’t just about manpower—it’s about smart integration of surveillance cameras, real-time GPS tracking, and mobile reporting systems. These tools give both the guards and the clients instant access to incident data and guard performance. Sacramento firms often offer digital logs and live updates through custom apps, which streamline communication and accountability. Enhanced with analytics, these platforms also help in crime trend analysis, allowing security strategies to evolve as needed. This tech-first approach delivers added value and peace of mind for property managers and business owners alike.

Personalized Security Plans for Different Client Needs

Each business has its own vulnerabilities and security goals, and companies in Sacramento acknowledge this by creating customized protection plans. Security guard companies Sacramento service providers are known for conducting thorough site assessments before implementing a strategy. Whether the client requires static guards, mobile patrols, or overnight surveillance, the service model is adjusted accordingly. Additionally, some companies specialize in event security or executive protection, offering options tailored to one-time or high-profile situations. This level of personalization ensures that clients only pay for what they truly need, making it both efficient and cost-effective. Adaptability and client-centric planning are hallmarks of Sacramento’s best security providers.

Strong Emphasis on Professional Appearance and Conduct

Professionalism goes beyond the uniform—it includes behavior, communication, and the way guards represent a client’s brand. Security guard companies Sacramento has to offer place great importance on hiring guards who not only meet security qualifications but also understand the nuances of customer service. For high-end retail stores, hospitality venues, or corporate offices, guards often serve as the first point of contact for visitors. Their demeanor, punctuality, and courtesy reflect directly on the businesses they protect. Sacramento’s firms understand this dual role and ensure their teams are trained in both security protocols and client-facing professionalism, adding an extra layer of value to their services.

Responsiveness and 24/7 Availability for All Emergencies

Another key differentiator is the round-the-clock availability of top-tier security firms in Sacramento. Security issues can arise at any hour, and knowing that support is just a phone call away builds trust with clients. Security guard companies Sacramento based ensure they have rapid-response teams ready for deployment, including for natural disasters, break-ins, or suspicious activity. Dispatch centers are equipped with real-time monitoring capabilities to coordinate guard movement efficiently. The ability to maintain constant readiness makes these firms highly dependable. Businesses that require after-hours coverage, such as warehouses and apartment complexes, especially benefit from this unwavering commitment to continuous protection.

Commitment to Community Engagement and Public Safety

Security guard companies Sacramento isn’t just focused on individual clients—they also play a critical role in broader community safety. Many of these firms collaborate with local law enforcement and neighborhood watch programs, contributing to a more secure urban environment. Their presence often deters crime and encourages public order in parks, shopping centers, and schools. In addition to private contracts, some companies offer complimentary services for community events or educational seminars on personal safety. This community-first mindset shows that these firms are deeply invested in the well-being of Sacramento as a whole, not just their bottom line. It’s a reflection of trust, dedication, and civic responsibility.

Conclusion

What truly sets security guard companies Sacramento apart is their commitment to customized, tech-forward, and community-driven security solutions. From highly trained guards to cutting-edge tools and a deep understanding of local needs, these companies deliver protection that goes far beyond industry standards. Their blend of professionalism, adaptability, and 24/7 readiness makes them the go-to choice for businesses and residents seeking peace of mind. In an evolving world where safety concerns continue to rise, Sacramento’s security providers remain a reliable and essential force in preserving order and confidence across every corner of the city.

[vibrantorchestraimp]

Do you provide support for family members or caregivers?

Yes, many mental health professionals and treatment centers in Chennai recognize that supporting family members and caregivers is a vital part of treating bipolar disorder. Living with or caring for someone with bipolar disorder can be emotionally demanding and sometimes confusing. Family members often struggle with feelings of helplessness, guilt, fear, or burnout. Without proper guidance, even well-meaning support can unintentionally contribute to stress or relapse.

Comprehensive treatment programs today don’t just focus on the patient — they also aim to educate, empower, and stabilize the entire family system. When caregivers are informed and supported, it strengthens the environment in which the client heals. It also reinforces the client’s buddhi — their inner wisdom and ability to make healthy, discerning decisions — by surrounding them with clarity, calm, and compassion at home.

Types of Family and Caregiver Support Offered:

1. Psychoeducation Sessions

Help families understand the nature of bipolar disorder, symptoms, and treatment.

Clarify misconceptions (e.g., mood episodes are not “just mood swings” or signs of weakness).

Teach families how to identify early warning signs and respond constructively.

2. Family Counseling or Therapy

Guided sessions with a psychologist or therapist.

Address communication issues, conflict, or emotional pain caused by the illness.

Create a more supportive and less reactive home environment.

3. Crisis Management Training

Caregivers learn how to manage emergencies, such as manic outbursts, depressive withdrawal, or suicidal behavior.

Includes instructions on when to seek help and how to de-escalate tense situations.

4. Emotional Support and Peer Groups

Some clinics and NGOs (like SCARF, The Banyan, or VHS Chennai) offer support groups for caregivers.

These sessions create space for shared experiences, mutual learning, and emotional relief.

Why It Matters for the Client's Recovery and Buddhi

When a caregiver is calm, informed, and grounded, it helps regulate the emotional atmosphere around the client. This, in turn, supports the client’s buddhi — allowing them to recognize triggers, make better choices, and stay committed to their healing. A supported caregiver becomes a pillar of long-term stability, not just a helper in moments of crisis.

[lawservicessydney]

How Divorce Lawyers in Parramatta Handle High-Conflict Personalities (Without Escalating It)

Divorce lawyers in Parramatta have a critical role to play in managing high-conflict personalities while safeguarding their clients' interests. By employing tactics such as mediation, de-escalation, and prioritising children's best interests, they ensure that disputes are resolved effectively and with minimal emotional destruction.

[longislanddivorce1]

Navigating Divorce on Long Island: Legal Guidance and Local Support

Work With a Skilled Long Island Divorce Attorney

Engaging a qualified Long Island divorce attorney is the first step in managing the legal and emotional complexity of separation. Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, a local attorney provides the critical knowledge required to handle New York’s family court system. From drafting legal filings to courtroom representation, experienced attorneys offer protection for your interests in custody arrangements, property division, and financial settlements. The attorney's familiarity with Long Island's specific procedures helps minimize errors, delays, and unnecessary stress.

An attorney also helps manage expectations by outlining the likely timeline and legal options. Legal professionals ensure your rights are upheld at every stage while providing a realistic overview of what to expect. Whether your divorce involves high-value assets or emotional custody decisions, a qualified legal representative offers support tailored to your unique needs. Their guidance can prevent common pitfalls and streamline the legal experience while maintaining compliance with state law.

Choosing a Trusted Long Island Divorce Lawyer

A Long Island divorce lawyer not only offers courtroom representation but also guides clients through emotionally charged negotiations. Divorces often involve disputes over child support, spousal maintenance, and shared debts, and an experienced lawyer can de-escalate tension while protecting your legal position. Their understanding of state law and county-level variations is essential for ensuring a thorough and compliant divorce process.

Legal strategy matters in contested cases. Whether you are initiating the divorce or responding to a petition, a skilled divorce lawyer assesses your case's strength and potential outcomes. Long Island legal professionals are adept at identifying legal priorities while maintaining sensitivity to family dynamics. This dual expertise in law and conflict resolution is what enables the best outcomes, whether inside or outside the courtroom.

Understanding the Role of a Family Law Divorce Lawyer

A family law divorce lawyer provides services that extend beyond the divorce itself. Their focus includes child custody, visitation schedules, domestic violence protection, and asset division. A strong foundation in family law allows these professionals to approach each situation with nuance and legal precision. This is especially important in cases involving children, where decisions must reflect the best interests of minors under New York law.

Their familiarity with judicial expectations helps ensure that custody plans and financial support agreements meet both legal requirements and family needs. The lawyer also handles sensitive issues such as relocation, post-divorce modification, and enforcement. With the emotional intensity surrounding family separation, having a knowledgeable guide can help maintain stability, protect children, and resolve disputes without escalating conflict unnecessarily.

How Divorce Services Help Simplify the Process

Access to reliable divorce services can ease the administrative burden of divorce. These services often include document preparation, legal consultations, mediation support, and financial assessments. For those unfamiliar with legal systems, this support ensures that all filings are completed correctly and deadlines are met. Divorce service providers can help you organize your documentation and understand what to expect from each stage of the proceedings.

Additionally, these services allow clients to take a more proactive role in managing their divorce without having to navigate the legal terrain alone. Whether used independently or alongside legal counsel, divorce services support informed decision-making. From guidance on court procedures to coordination with your attorney, the right services can significantly reduce stress and ensure all legal bases are covered effectively.

Decoding the Divorce Process in NY

The divorce process in NY starts with filing a Summons with Notice or a Verified Complaint. After serving the other spouse, the court requires financial disclosure and may set hearing dates for temporary orders. Depending on whether the case is contested, the process may involve negotiation, mediation, or litigation. The outcome affects property division, child custody, support obligations, and spousal maintenance.

Legal representation ensures you understand each phase and meet court expectations. From the statement of net worth to the resolution of claims, your approach to this process determines both the timeline and outcome. If both spouses can agree on the terms, the court may grant a judgment quickly. If not, the process may be drawn out with pre-trial motions and court hearings. Knowing what to expect allows you to prepare accordingly.

Balancing Emotions and Law in Family Law Divorce Cases

Family law divorce cases often bring heightened emotions and legal intricacies. These cases don’t just concern legal documents—they also require handling delicate matters such as parental rights, guardianship, domestic partnerships, and even grandparent visitation. An attorney trained in family law offers legal precision while remaining mindful of personal sensitivities. They provide a structure for moving forward while minimizing damage to important family relationships.

The emotional weight of family law matters can influence decisions, which is why legal counsel offers both clarity and a buffer. By focusing on legal fairness, long-term consequences, and emotional well-being, the attorney acts as a steady guide through turbulent circumstances. Their role includes mediating complex family dynamics while staying grounded in statutory responsibilities and client goals.

What to Expect From a Family Law Divorce Attorney

Hiring a family law divorce attorney gives you access to legal experience and strategic advice across a range of issues. These professionals prepare detailed court filings, negotiate with opposing counsel, and represent clients in trial if required. They also coordinate with child specialists, financial advisors, and mediators to provide a comprehensive legal experience. Their understanding of both the letter and the spirit of family law ensures that your rights are respected and your voice is heard.

Attorneys in this field often handle cases that continue long after the divorce is finalized. Issues like visitation changes, enforcement of court orders, and requests for modification frequently arise post-judgment. Your legal representative remains a valuable resource even after the initial process concludes. Choosing someone experienced in family law ensures continuity, stability, and legal compliance throughout the entire journey.

How to Get a Quick Divorce in NY: What You Should Know

Knowing how to get a quick divorce in NY requires understanding what qualifies a case as uncontested. If both spouses agree on major aspects such as property division, custody, and support, the divorce can often be finalized in just a few months. Filing in the correct court, completing forms accurately, and following procedural steps ensure there are no delays or rejections.

A quick divorce also requires that both parties respond on time. When delays in paperwork or disagreements arise, even simple divorces can stretch out. Working with legal support or even mediation services can speed up this process significantly. You don’t have to navigate the process alone, and choosing professionals familiar with local requirements ensures each step is completed efficiently.

How Long is the Divorce Process in NY on Average?

Understanding how long is the divorce process in NY depends on the case's complexity. For an uncontested divorce, the process can take three to six months. Contested divorces, however, can last over a year or longer, particularly if custody battles or high-value assets are involved. The timeline is affected by court backlog, motion hearings, and the willingness of both parties to settle.

Hiring experienced legal counsel shortens the process by preventing errors and managing timelines effectively. Judges will only approve settlements that meet legal standards, especially concerning child welfare or financial transparency. An attorney helps maintain momentum while avoiding missed deadlines and incomplete paperwork. Understanding realistic timeframes helps manage expectations and reduces the stress of uncertainty.

Legal Support for Divorce in Suffolk County

Working with a local lawyer who understands divorce Suffolk County rules, and court processes is essential. Each county court may have its administrative steps, clerical requirements, and preferred forms. In Suffolk, these nuances can influence how quickly your case moves through the system and how responsive the court is to motions or settlements.

Local experience also helps attorneys tailor their strategies. Knowledge of how certain judges tend to rule or what documentation is preferred in specific courts can make a significant difference. Attorneys who routinely practice in Suffolk County know how to align with court preferences while advancing their clients’ interests. Whether litigating or negotiating, their familiarity improves outcomes and efficiency.

Working with a Divorce Lawyer on Long Island

Partnering with a divorce lawyer on Long Island allows you to access legal guidance specific to your location. Long Island's two-county system—Nassau and Suffolk—presents logistical and procedural differences that can affect how your divorce unfolds. An experienced local lawyer understands both jurisdictions and can help you navigate which court to file in, what forms to submit, and how to meet legal deadlines.

From the moment you file your first document to your final judgment, your lawyer is your primary advocate. They interpret the law, protect your rights, and fight for your desired outcome—whether that’s joint custody, equitable asset division, or financial stability. Working with someone based in your area means they are more accessible, familiar with your court officials, and better positioned to respond quickly to your needs.

Full Divorce Representation on Long Island

Securing divorce representation Long Island means having consistent legal support from start to finish. This includes pre-divorce planning, documentation preparation, financial evaluations, trial representation, and post-divorce modifications. Comprehensive representation reduces confusion, ensures legal compliance, and enhances your ability to pursue your goals during a highly stressful time.

Long Island representation also includes help with negotiation and settlement talks. Not every divorce ends in trial—many are resolved through mutual agreement. A local attorney can serve as a skilled negotiator, ensuring that settlement agreements are fair, enforceable, and aligned with New York law. This approach saves time, reduces court involvement, and often leads to more satisfactory outcomes for both parties.

The Legal Landscape of Divorce Law on Long Island

Familiarity with divorce law Long Island helps individuals avoid missteps that could delay or derail their case. Legal statutes governing divorce differ slightly by jurisdiction, and Long Island residents must comply with New York’s Domestic Relations Law as interpreted by local courts. Understanding these legal structures is essential for making informed decisions and protecting your rights.

From property distribution under equitable division rules to maintenance calculations and child support standards, state and regional interpretations matter. Judges may use discretion based on precedent and county-specific practices, and an attorney’s familiarity with these distinctions improves your chances of a favorable result. Compliance with local legal procedures ensures that your filings and negotiations are legally valid and enforceable.

Facing Divorce on Long Island: Knowing Where to Begin

Beginning the journey of divorce Long Island involves legal, financial, and emotional preparation. Choosing the right support system is key to reducing conflict and achieving a resolution that aligns with your values and goals. Local laws, court availability, and attorney experience all play roles in how your divorce proceeds.

Whether you’re initiating proceedings or responding to a summons, working with professionals who understand Long Island’s legal environment makes a measurable difference. Your attorney serves as your legal voice, while mediators, accountants, and counselors provide additional support. Approaching your divorce with a clear plan and proper resources can lead to more stable long-term outcomes and peace of mind.

[brainbenchinstitute]

Why Communication Skills Are Essential for Career Growth?

In today’s competitive job market, technical expertise alone isn’t enough to guarantee career success. While qualifications and experience do matter, strong communication skills are often what distinguish a good professional from a great one. Whether you’re interacting with clients, leading a team, or networking at industry events, the ability to convey ideas clearly and effectively plays a critical role in professional growth.

In this in-depth blog, we will explore why communication skills are essential for career growth, how they impact different aspects of the workplace, and what you can do to develop them.

What are Communication Skills?

Communication skills refer to the ability to convey or share ideas and feelings effectively. These include both verbal and non-verbal communication, such as:

Verbal Communication — Speaking clearly, confidently, and articulately.

Non-verbal Communication — Body language, gestures, facial expressions.

Written Communication — Emails, reports, documentation.

Listening Skills — Active listening and understanding the message.

Presentation Skills — Delivering information in a structured and engaging manner.

Strong communication skills allow individuals to express themselves clearly and build strong relationships, which are key drivers of success in any career.

The Role of Communication in Career Development

1. Improved Workplace Relationships

Clear communication fosters mutual understanding and trust. When colleagues can openly express their ideas and concerns, the workplace becomes a collaborative and efficient environment. Effective communication also helps prevent misunderstandings, reduces conflict, and promotes respect among co-workers.

2. Leadership and Management Skills

Great leaders are often great communicators. Whether you’re managing a small team or an entire department, the ability to motivate, guide, and provide feedback is essential. Strong communication ensures your message is understood and acted upon. It also helps in delegating tasks efficiently and resolving issues diplomatically.

3. Career Advancement Opportunities

Employees who communicate well are more likely to get noticed by managers and senior leadership. Being able to express your accomplishments, participate in meetings, and contribute ideas effectively can position you for promotions and leadership roles. Communication is also crucial during job interviews and performance evaluations.

4. Customer and Client Interaction

For customer-facing roles, communication is paramount. The ability to listen to clients, understand their needs, and respond appropriately builds customer loyalty and trust. Positive interactions lead to repeat business, referrals, and a stronger professional reputation.

5. Conflict Resolution

Conflicts in the workplace are inevitable, but how you handle them determines your professionalism. Strong communicators are better equipped to mediate disagreements, negotiate outcomes, and maintain harmony. Being diplomatic and empathetic helps in de-escalating tensions.

6. Team Collaboration

Teamwork requires seamless communication. Sharing ideas, giving feedback, and supporting team members through open dialogue leads to successful project completion. Poor communication can result in delays, errors, and decreased morale.

7. Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

When you communicate effectively, you’re more likely to feel confident in your abilities. Whether it’s presenting a new idea or giving a team update, confident communication boosts your self-image and garners respect from peers.

Benefits of Strong Communication Skills

Enhanced Professional Image

Increased Productivity

Greater Job Satisfaction

Stronger Networking Abilities

Improved Emotional Intelligence

Better Time Management

These benefits compound over time and have a direct impact on your overall career trajectory.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills?

1. Practice Active Listening

Listen with the intent to understand, not just to reply. Focus on the speaker, avoid interrupting, and ask questions to clarify.

2. Improve Your Body Language

Non-verbal cues like posture, eye contact, and hand gestures can reinforce or contradict your words. Stay open and approachable.

3. Expand Your Vocabulary

Use precise and relevant words. Avoid jargon unless necessary. Read books, articles, and listen to expert speakers to improve your word usage.

4. Enhance Your Writing Skills

Writing clear, concise, and well-structured emails or reports is crucial. Use grammar-check tools and seek feedback.

5. Seek Feedback

Ask colleagues, mentors, or managers for feedback on your communication style. Use it constructively.

6. Engage in Public Speaking

Join a public speaking group or take courses. Practice speaking in front of an audience to overcome stage fright.

7. Take Communication Courses

Enroll in professional courses like those offered at Brain Bench Institute to systematically improve your communication skills.

Real-Life Scenarios: Communication in Action

Scenario 1: Team Presentation

Riya, a marketing executive, was asked to present a new campaign idea to senior management. With good communication skills, she structured her ideas clearly, used compelling visuals, and answered questions confidently. Her campaign was approved, and she was later promoted.

Scenario 2: Client Negotiation

Amit, a sales manager, had to handle a dissatisfied client. He listened to the client’s concerns patiently, acknowledged the issues, and proposed a solution diplomatically. The client was impressed with his professionalism and continued the business relationship.

Scenario 3: Job Interview

Sneha, a recent graduate, applied for her first job. Though she had the qualifications, it was her clear, confident responses and positive body language during the interview that secured her the role.

Industries Where Communication Skills Matter Most

Healthcare — For interacting with patients and colleagues.

Education — For teaching, mentoring, and academic discussions.

Information Technology — For teamwork and client communication.

Sales and Marketing — For persuasion, negotiation, and customer service.

Hospitality — For delivering excellent guest experiences.

Human Resources — For recruitment, conflict resolution, and employee engagement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, communication skills are no longer optional but essential for career growth. They affect every aspect of your professional life, from how you interact with colleagues to how you influence decision-making. By improving your communication skills, you not only enhance your job performance but also position yourself for long-term success.

At Brain Bench Institute, we believe in empowering individuals with strong communication and soft skills. Our courses are designed to help you master the art of effective communication and accelerate your career growth.

Start your journey to becoming a confident communicator today!

Follow us at:

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@brainbenchjaipur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brainbench.jpr/

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[drkarenhawk]

 Managing Anger and Conflict in Relationships with Dr. Karen Hawk

Anger and conflict are natural parts of any relationship, but when not managed effectively, they can lead to hurt feelings, resentment, and even the breakdown of the relationship. Whether it’s with a partner, family member, or friend, unresolved anger can create distance and disrupt the harmony between individuals. Karen Hawk Gilbert, a psychologist based in Gilbert, specializes in helping individuals and couples manage anger and conflict in relationships. With her compassionate and expert approach, Dr. Hawk provides effective strategies to help clients navigate difficult emotions, improve communication, and restore balance in their relationships.

Understanding the Root of Anger

Anger often arises as a response to unmet needs, perceived disrespect, or feelings of vulnerability. In her therapeutic sessions, Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert helps clients explore the underlying causes of their anger, often uncovering deep-seated emotions such as fear, insecurity, or past trauma. Rather than simply focusing on the anger itself, Dr. Hawk encourages clients to examine what triggers their emotional responses and how they can better understand and manage these feelings.

By identifying the root causes of anger, individuals can gain greater emotional insight. Dr. Hawk’s approach is rooted in the belief that anger is a valid emotion, but it’s how one responds to it that matters. In her practice, she guides clients to view anger not as something to suppress or act out impulsively, but as an emotion that, when handled constructively, can be a catalyst for positive change. By recognizing the deeper emotions behind anger, individuals are better equipped to address conflicts in a healthier, more mindful manner.

The Impact of Unresolved Anger on Relationships

Anger that is not addressed or expressed appropriately can accumulate over time, leading to resentment and communication breakdowns. Karen Hawk Gilbert works with clients to help them understand the potential long-term effects of unresolved anger in their relationships. She educates individuals on how holding onto anger can create emotional distance, breed negativity, and prevent healthy problem-solving.

For couples, unresolved anger may manifest as passive-aggressive behavior, avoidance, or even emotional withdrawal. Dr. Hawk helps couples recognize these patterns and guides them toward healthier ways of expressing their feelings. She emphasizes the importance of addressing anger in real-time, rather than allowing it to simmer beneath the surface, which can ultimately lead to larger conflicts down the road.

Dr. Hawk’s therapeutic approach fosters open, honest communication, where both partners feel safe discussing their emotions without fear of judgment. She encourages individuals to express their needs and concerns in a constructive way, rather than allowing their frustration to fester into resentment.

Communication Skills for Conflict Resolution

Effective communication is the cornerstone of conflict resolution, and Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert places a strong emphasis on teaching her clients how to communicate with respect, empathy, and clarity. In her sessions, Dr. Hawk provides tools for active listening, a key skill for resolving conflicts in relationships. Active listening involves truly hearing what the other person is saying, without interrupting or preparing your response while the other person is speaking.

Dr. Hawk also teaches couples how to use “I” statements instead of “you” statements, which can help prevent defensiveness. For example, saying, “I feel upset when I’m not heard,” instead of, “You never listen to me,” creates a non-confrontational approach to expressing emotions. This subtle shift in language helps both parties feel safe, understood, and less likely to become defensive.

By mastering these communication skills, individuals are better equipped to de-escalate conflict before it intensifies. Dr. Hawk’s goal is to help clients engage in open dialogue where both parties feel heard, respected, and validated. Healthy communication allows for better problem-solving, deeper connection, and more lasting resolutions.

Techniques for Managing Anger in the Heat of the Moment

When anger arises, it can be difficult to think clearly or control impulsive reactions. Karen Hawk Gilbert provides practical strategies for managing anger in real-time, helping clients respond to conflict in a calm, controlled manner. One of the techniques Dr. Hawk recommends is deep breathing. This simple, yet powerful technique helps to lower physiological arousal, allowing individuals to regain control over their emotions.

Another tool Dr. Hawk uses with her clients is the "timeout" strategy. When anger begins to escalate, taking a brief break from the situation allows both parties to cool down and collect their thoughts. During this time, individuals can reflect on their emotions, engage in grounding techniques, or take a walk to release tension. When both individuals return to the conversation, they are more likely to engage with a clearer, calmer mindset, which can lead to more productive and respectful conflict resolution.

Additionally, Dr. Hawk encourages individuals to practice mindfulness and self-awareness, which allows them to recognize when anger is building and intervene before it becomes overwhelming. By learning to pause and reflect before reacting, individuals can break the cycle of impulsive responses and create more thoughtful, intentional reactions.

Rebuilding Trust After Conflict

Conflict in relationships is inevitable, but how individuals repair and move forward from that conflict is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship. Dr Karen Hawk Psychologist Gilbert works with couples to rebuild trust after emotional outbursts, misunderstandings, or disagreements. She helps them understand that trust isn’t just about avoiding conflict, but also about how they handle it when it arises.

Through her counseling, Dr. Hawk guides couples in developing a repair strategy—a method for addressing hurt feelings and making amends after an argument. This may involve apologizing sincerely, acknowledging the other person’s perspective, and finding ways to make up for the emotional damage caused during the conflict. Rebuilding trust requires consistent effort, and Dr. Hawk emphasizes the importance of following through on promises and demonstrating reliability over time.

Furthermore, Dr. Hawk encourages couples to practice empathy, to understand their partner’s emotions, and to demonstrate compassion even during difficult times. This emotional reconnection helps to heal wounds, restore trust, and strengthen the relationship moving forward.

Long-Term Strategies for Managing Anger and Conflict

Dr. Karen Hawk’s approach to managing anger and conflict is not just about addressing individual incidents, but also about creating long-term habits that promote healthy relationships. She works with her clients to establish a solid foundation of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and conflict resolution skills that can be applied across various situations.

By incorporating tools like regular check-ins, healthy boundaries, and conflict resolution frameworks, Dr. Hawk empowers her clients to handle difficult emotions and navigate conflicts with confidence and grace. These strategies are designed to create long-lasting change, allowing individuals and couples to face challenges with a sense of unity and mutual respect.

Conclusion

Managing anger and conflict in relationships is essential for fostering healthy, lasting connections. Dr. Karen Hawk’s expert guidance helps individuals and couples in Gilbert navigate the complexities of their emotions, improve communication, and build stronger, more resilient relationships. Through her compassionate approach, she empowers clients with practical tools for managing anger, resolving conflicts, and rebuilding trust. If you are facing challenges in your relationship, Dr. Karen Hawk is here to support you in creating a harmonious, healthy dynamic built on respect, understanding, and effective conflict resolution.

[constructionaccounting]

621: Transforming Your Construction Team Through Support And Collaboration

This Podcast Is Episode 621, And It's About Transforming Your Construction Team Through Support And Collaboration

Being a construction manager and a business owner requires a unique blend of skills and attributes essential for effectively leading a crew. Leadership is at the forefront of this role, as a construction manager must inspire and motivate their team to achieve project goals while maintaining safety and quality standards. This involves clear communication, conflict resolution, and a collaborative team environment.

  Responsibility is another key element. A construction manager oversees the site's day-to-day operations and bears the weight of financial and legal obligations associated with the business. This includes managing budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining client relationships. Making informed decisions under pressure is crucial, as any misstep can have significant consequences.

  Handling a problematic construction contractor on a job site can also add to your work challenges, but adopting a proactive and positive approach can help you manage the situation effectively.

  Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Communication is Key

Open lines of communication are essential. Hold regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and expectations. Encourage your crew members to voice their concerns and suggestions, which can help foster a collaborative environment.

2. Understand Their Perspective

Take time to listen and understand the reasons behind your crew's difficulties. Whether it's workload stress, unclear instructions, or personal issues, knowing the root cause can help you address their concerns more effectively.

3. Set Clear Expectations

Ensure that all crew members understand their roles and the project's goals. Clearly defined tasks and responsibilities can reduce confusion and help everyone focus on their objectives.

4. Provide Support

Offer help through additional resources, training, or simply being available to answer questions. Showing that you care about their success can boost morale and productivity.

5. Stay Professional

Remaining calm and composed is essential, even when tensions rise. Responding to negativity professionally and respectfully can help de-escalate conflicts and maintain a positive work atmosphere.

6. Conflict Resolution

When conflicts arise, address them promptly. Use a calm approach to mediate disputes, focusing on finding a solution for everyone involved. Avoid taking sides to maintain fairness.

7. Recognize Achievements

Acknowledge your crew's good work, no matter how small the accomplishments may seem. Recognition can boost morale and motivate the team to overcome challenges together.

8. Lead by Example

Demonstrate the work ethic and attitude you want to see in your crew. Your leadership style can set the tone for the entire work environment, influencing how the crew interacts and handles difficulties.

9. Be Flexible

Construction projects often come with unexpected challenges. Flexibility and openness to adjustments can help you navigate these situations and maintain team morale.

10. Seek Feedback

After resolving issues, seek feedback from the crew on the process. This can lead to valuable insights and improvements for future projects.

We settled for a different approach. In all our construction companies, we use a process to encourage innovation and optimize production at three specific times during the day: morning, noon, and afternoon. 

Morning —We provided light snacks, pastries, fruit, bottled water, juice, coffee, and tea. We begin the day by informing the team about the legal requirements and end with a sheet of paper listing the goals for the day for each crew, which the superintendent/foreman/lead person, whatever title you use, keeps in their portfolio.

Noon—Lunch is also provided. Each person gives a morning progress report and afternoon target, which are updated on a paper sheet listing the day's goals.

Afternoon—Work stops ten minutes before everyone is due to clock out, and everyone gives an afternoon progress report and next-day target, which is updated on a sheet of paper listing the goals for the day.

Why Provide Snacks And Meals? Three Reasons - PROFIT! PROFIT! PROFIT!

Your construction workers may or may not have a hearty breakfast before coming to work, depending on various factors outside your and their control.

Well-fed construction workers produce more work in less time with fewer mistakes, which saves you time and money on labor, materials, warranty work, and other costs.

After a few hours of intense construction work, they could be dehydrated. Having burned several calories, their stomachs could be sending essential messages regarding food. This usually results in them slowing down a little bit, costing your company some profit dollars. 

You should notice steady increases in production because everyone's needs are met, and each member of your crew—Journeymen, Apprentices, and Laborers—has a voice. This fosters a positive atmosphere. Additionally, you can expect substantial increases in innovation as an ongoing process, all while maintaining uninterrupted production.

In addition, a successful construction manager and business owner must possess a multifaceted skill set. This includes technical knowledge of construction methods and materials, project management expertise, and a deep understanding of industry regulations. Additionally, proficiency in risk management, scheduling, and resource allocation is vital in navigating the complexities of each project.

Adaptability is essential, as construction projects often face unforeseen challenges. A construction manager must be able to think on their feet and adjust plans as necessary to keep projects on track, demanding technical skills and a strong sense of judgment and creativity.

Final thoughts

The role of a construction manager and business owner is rewarding and demanding. It involves a delicate balance of leadership, responsibility, and diverse skill sets, all of which converge to ensure that projects are completed successfully, on time, and within budget.

Leading your crew effectively involves not just managing tasks but inspiring and developing your team to meet project goals while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

About The Author:

Sharie DeHart, QPA, is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on managing the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

[hasanhesblogs]

How Security Guard Services Adapt to Emerging Threats

Security guard service play a critical role in maintaining safety and order in a world where threats are constantly evolving. From traditional physical security to advanced technological integration, the industry has adapted to address emerging challenges. This article explores how security guard services are transforming to meet modern demands, ensuring they remain effective in safeguarding people and property.

The Evolution of Security Guard Services

Security guard services have shifted from relying solely on physical presence to incorporating advanced tools and strategies. In the past, guards were primarily responsible for patrolling and monitoring premises. Today, they use technology like surveillance cameras, access control systems, and real-time communication devices. This evolution allows them to respond faster and more effectively to potential threats.

The rise of cyber threats has also influenced the industry. Security guards now work alongside cybersecurity experts to protect sensitive data and digital infrastructure. This collaboration ensures comprehensive protection, addressing both physical and virtual vulnerabilities.

Training and Skill Development

Modern security guard services invest heavily in training programs. Guards are no longer just trained in basic surveillance and conflict resolution. They now learn to operate advanced security systems, analyze data, and respond to emergencies with precision. For example, guards are often trained in first aid, fire safety, and crisis management, making them versatile in handling diverse situations.

Specialized training programs also focus on de-escalation techniques. Guards learn to handle high-pressure scenarios without resorting to force, ensuring safety while minimizing risks. This approach not only enhances security but also builds trust with clients and the public.

Integration of Technology

Technology has become a cornerstone of modern security guard services. Surveillance systems with AI-powered analytics can detect unusual behavior and alert guards in real time. Drones are increasingly used for monitoring large areas, providing a bird’s-eye view that enhances situational awareness.

Access control systems have also advanced. Biometric scanners and smart card readers ensure only authorized personnel can enter restricted areas. These systems reduce the risk of unauthorized access and provide detailed logs for accountability.

Mobile apps and communication tools enable guards to stay connected with their teams and clients. Real-time updates and instant reporting streamline operations, making security services more efficient and responsive.

Adapting to New Threats

The nature of threats has changed significantly in recent years. Security guard services must now address issues like terrorism, cyberattacks, and workplace violence. To combat these challenges, guards are equipped with tools like body cameras, which provide evidence in case of incidents and deter potential offenders.

Collaboration with law enforcement agencies has also become essential. Security guards often act as the first line of defense, gathering critical information that helps authorities respond effectively. This partnership ensures a coordinated approach to handling threats.

Customized Security Solutions

Every client has unique security needs, and modern security guard services offer tailored solutions. Whether it’s a corporate office, a retail store, or a residential complex, guards are trained to adapt their strategies based on the environment.

For example, a shopping mall may require crowd control and theft prevention, while a corporate office may focus on access control and data protection. By customizing their services, security providers ensure maximum effectiveness and client satisfaction.

The Role of Data and Analytics

Data plays a crucial role in modern security operations. Guards use analytics to identify patterns and predict potential threats. For instance, analyzing past incidents can help determine high-risk areas and times, allowing guards to allocate resources more effectively.

Predictive analytics also enable proactive measures. By identifying trends, security teams can implement preventive strategies, reducing the likelihood of incidents. This data-driven approach enhances overall security and provides clients with peace of mind.

Sustainability in Security Services

Sustainability is becoming a priority in the security industry. Companies are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as using energy-efficient equipment and reducing waste. Guards are also trained to minimize their environmental impact while performing their duties.

For example, some security firms use solar-powered surveillance cameras and electric vehicles for patrolling. These initiatives not only reduce carbon footprints but also demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the industry has made significant progress, challenges remain. The rapid pace of technological advancements requires continuous learning and adaptation. Security guards must stay updated on the latest tools and techniques to remain effective.

Budget constraints can also be a hurdle. Implementing advanced technology and training programs requires significant investment. However, the long-term benefits, such as improved efficiency and reduced risks, often outweigh the costs.

Despite these challenges, the future of security guard services looks promising. With ongoing innovation and a focus on client needs, the industry is well-positioned to tackle emerging threats and ensure safety in an ever-changing world.

Next Session: The Future of Security Guard Services: Trends to Watch

Curious about what’s next for the security industry? In our upcoming, we’ll explore the latest trends shaping the future of security guard services. From AI-driven surveillance to the rise of remote monitoring, discover how technology is revolutionizing the field. We’ll also discuss the growing importance of sustainability and how security firms are adapting to meet global challenges.

Stay tuned to learn how these trends can benefit your business or community. For more insights, check out these resources:

Wikipedia: Security

Quora: What are the latest trends in security services?

Medium: The Future of Security Technology

Don’t miss out on this deep dive into the future of security. Visit Careforce BD for more updates and expert advice.

[psychreviews2]

Ego Psychology: Anna Freud Pt. 4

The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence

Ego psychology was considered more orthodox Freudian, but in one area it wasn't. In Sigmund Freud's view, development comes through conflict, and this conflict leads to so many different outcomes for children and adults. Later critics of Ego psychology wanted to keep the element of conflict as an integral part of development, but others like Anna Freud saw that much of what Freudian therapy aimed at was to reduce internal and external conflict. If neurosis and frustration is to be dealt with via adaptation, then a de-escalation of conflict and an increase in harmony internally and externally would be required for stress to decrease. Earlier methods focused quite a lot on the internal side and how people could conform to the environment, but Anna wanted a more full approach where patients, families and institutions could reshape the environment to make it easier to thrive.

With emphasis on repression and the need to give people the ability to discharge their Id energies on accessible targets, Anna Freud wanted to bring prominence back to the Ego. This was due to the fact that a healthy ego was always the goal of therapy so that clients could navigate their lives independently. In fact, if there were no movements of craving influencing the Ego or Superego, there would be little to indicate about the Id. "Our knowledge of the id—which was formerly called the system Ucs.—can be acquired only through the derivatives which make their way into the systems Preconscious and Conscious. If within the id a state of calm and satisfaction prevails, so that there is no occasion for any instinctual impulse to invade the ego in search of gratification and there to produce feelings of tension and unpleasure, we can learn nothing of the id contents. It follows, at least theoretically, that the id is not under all conditions open to observation."

The Ego and the Id - Sigmund Freud: https://rumble.com/v1gvdo1-the-ego-and-the-id-sigmund-freud.html

The Superego and Ego can also be confusing if certain indicators aren't there. "[The Super-ego's] contents are for the most part conscious and so can be directly arrived at by [internal] perception. Nevertheless, our picture of the superego always tends to become hazy when harmonious relations exist between it and the ego. We then say that the two coincide, i.e., at such moments the superego is not perceptible as a separate institution either to the subject himself or to an outside observer. Its outlines become clear only when it confronts the ego with hostility or at least with criticism. The superego, like the id, becomes perceptible in the state which it produces within the ego: for instance, when its criticism evokes a sense of guilt...The proper field for our observation is always the ego. It is, so to speak, the medium through which we try to get a picture of the other two institutions."

Like in a Flow state, when the Superego is not as active, Id craving and Ego activity become smooth, which points to the Super-ego as being part of the effort to change course, and is actually a little bit like a form of aggression, which is needed in order to learn something new and implant knowledge into the Ego. As learning becomes habitual, the Ego and Id can move from craving to motor activity very easily. When objects of desire are blameless, they can be acted upon with what people normally call a clear conscience. "Different instinctual impulses are perpetually forcing their way from the id into the ego, where they gain access to the motor apparatus, by means of which they obtain gratification...In favorable cases the ego does not object to the intruder but puts its own energies at the other's disposal and confines itself to perceiving; it notes the onset of the instinctual impulse, the heightening of tension and the feelings of unpleasure by which this is accompanied and, finally, the relief from tension when gratification is experienced. Observation of the whole process gives us a clear and undistorted picture of the instinctual impulse concerned, the quantity of [craving] with which it is [invested], and the aim which it pursues. The ego, if it assents to the impulse, does not enter into the picture at all."

The reason why Freud looked at the pleasure principle as being in conflict with the reality principle was because external conflicts, especially extreme ones that threaten survival, require control mechanisms to monitor danger. In psychoanalysis, this monitoring can be more or less conscious and requires very quick pivoting, and here you can see where experiences of ambivalence over desire can be paralyzing when it comes to decision-making. The Id is looking for any objects for pleasure, as well as replacements in the environment, called the Primary Process, and here hypocrisy can be found, because in the search for pleasure, if there was no Superego to monitor ethics, the Id could quickly make recognitions from Id to Ego on all the opportunities for gratification accessible in the environment regardless of ethics. With a normal adult mind that has gone through childhood development with parents, the Superego is already there making adjustments in real time, which is the Secondary Process.

How desire works is that it starts with a primitive hallucination of unconscious wishes that can become barely conscious in dreaming, and often forgotten. By studying dreams, which behave differently than conscious thought, Sigmund Freud found that they were not necessarily meaningless as psychology beforehand posited. With Displacement, desires that are dangerous to fulfill, or cannot be fulfilled without some form of punishment or shame, which are both painful, they economically need to invest in alternative thoughts and objects to avoid these forms of pain. This way the totally unethical primary process, that doesn't think about consequences, needs to be adjusted as soon as possible through the ego territory. What fires together, wires together, and so a bundling of associations builds in the mind with repetition and leads to what Freud called Binding, where energy becomes stable around certain ideas for gratification. Craving, or libido, is the feeling connected with the need to repeat satisfaction with the same ideas and objects, which is why it's difficult to change habits and addictions if there isn't a sufficient amount of tolerance or boredom to urge exploration. When new stages of sexual, or energetic development are attempted, failures in achieving satisfaction make the old bindings become attractive to return to, even if they were once boring. There must be a mechanism involved where tolerance and boredom abate if there is enough time away from those gratifications to create a sense of home to return to while at the same time this home can be a platform for further exploration.

Overdetermination appears for Freud when many associations, like from day-to-day life mix in with buried traumas and unconscious wishes in the already altered manifest dream material. Condensation is the process, kind of like beating around the bush with Displacement, where dream materials circle around a point of intersection. It's pointing to a missing satisfaction, the latent dream material, while being camouflaged enough to keep one safe. This is kind of like wanting to admit to a desire, but only when an environment is found where that confession is allowed without punishment. Starting at the breast and later onto food and sex, the mind is creating identities around repeated savoring and satisfaction. It eventually finds favorites that allow for more repetition and can be gotten away with in terms of punishment or shame, or they are stable sources of pleasure that are blameless, and therefore safe. When these wishes are made conscious and acted upon in skillful ways then they go from unstable forms of energy, that sometimes blurt out in Freudian slips and humor, into more stable enterprises that can be talked about consciously and pursued in a controlled manner. Humor of course taps into the energy of others in which many people connect their own personal understandings leading to outbursts. For example, I remember being in a high school assembly one time and a teacher was speaking and wanted to say a different word but instead said the word orgasm, and the student body erupted in laughter for an extended period of time while she lowered her head in shame. In some ways, her being an authority figure, but having the same desires as the audience, created an endearment because the audience appeared equal with the authority figure for a short period of time.

Desire moves back and forth between the different forces of encouragement and discouragement with hypocrisy and ambivalence in tow. Reactivity can motivate behaviors that are the opposite of what is censured, which are reaction formations, to become a counterattack when one cannot trust oneself. "The instinctual impulses continue to pursue their aims with their own peculiar tenacity and energy, and they make hostile incursions into the ego, in the hope of overthrowing it by a surprise attack. The ego on its side becomes suspicious; it proceeds to counterattack and to invade the territory of the id. Its purpose is to put the instincts permanently out of action by means of appropriate defensive measures, designed to secure its own boundaries."

As skills increase, along with the boredom, which is kind of like an authentic motivation for development, those skills advance and allow one to explore more of the world and it's more refined satisfactions, which is the process of sublimation, to make something sublime. It taps into what we consider beautiful, useful, efficient, smart, and culturally meaningful. As culture advances, many forms of gratification are known to adults and there can be common ones identified to help the analyst to understand the mind of the patient and detect what is currently unconscious. "The task of the analytic observer is to split up the picture, representing as it does a compromise between the separate institutions, into its component parts: the id, the ego, and, it may be, the superego...All the defensive measures of the ego against the id are carried out silently and invisibly. The most that we can ever do is to reconstruct them in retrospect: we can never really witness them in operation. This statement applies, for instance, to successful repression. The ego knows nothing of it; we are aware of it only subsequently, when it becomes apparent that something is missing...When we try to form an objective judgment about a particular individual, we realize that certain id impulses are absent which we should expect to make their appearance in the ego in pursuit of gratification. If they never emerge at all, we can only assume that access to the ego is permanently denied to them, i.e., that they have succumbed to repression...The same is true of successful reaction formation, which is one of the most important measures adopted by the ego as a permanent protection against the id. Such formations appear almost unheralded in the ego in the course of a child's development."

Lou Andreas-Salomé Pt. 7: https://rumble.com/v5qdor5-lou-andreas-salom-pt.-7.html

Now, not all repressions are bad, because from childhood to adulthood, we have to negotiate with others to gain appropriate rewards that are sustainable so as to avoid conflict. The analyst tries to help the patient find more options for gratification that are unnecessarily repressed but just as hard to see in the patient is what is culturally accepted as what should be repressed. Unnecessary repression can involve symptoms of frustration that are witnessed by the analyst as interfering with a patient's lifestyle, or more acutely leading to symptoms of mental illness. "The obscurity of a successful repression is only equaled by the transparency of the repressive process when the movement is reversed, i.e., when the repressed material returns, as may be observed in neurosis [frustration]. Here we can trace every stage in the conflict between the instinctual impulse and the ego's defense."

People can all be different in that they find satisfaction in intimate relationships more than sublimation or vice versa, but for neurosis to happen, there are intense desires in the patient that are struggling to come out, but also this intensity is more likely to manifest when alternative satisfactions are yet to be discovered and acted upon. The patient cannot find an outlet. Again, the example of sublimation shows that one cannot engage in all gratifying activities at the same time. They must concentrate on them one at a time, or mix a small combination together in one activity. When one is in a flow state, part of the pleasure is the lack of ambivalence and stress related to making a decision. Many people have a variety of things they enjoy, which may include not only intimate relationships lusted after, but also coveted vocations and longed for experiences that have been denied thus far. When engaging in them, frustration neurosis is not apparent, even if a lifestyle is out of balance in another area. A healthy person can move from one activity to another and even if common satisfactions are missing in their lives, they may appear completely functional because they have enough with what they can easily access to avoid neurosis. But when frustration arises in a debilitating way, the analyst brings those excitements of what's missing, from the patients material arising in free association, to consciousness, and then they witness the internal conflicts become manifest in defensive behavior that wants to avoid facing them.

This is partly why psychoanalysts and similar types of psychologists can look like perverse tempters that allow analysands the space to entertain miscreant propositions. Analysts can then be more in line with the culture and religious views that look at consequences for worshipping a "Golden Calf," so to say, and others are more rebellious and desire for subcultures to arise so as to allow more places for people to exist differently than in an overly conformist body politic. Patients can then choose therapists according to their goals so as to develop confidence and reduce shame for their desires, or in other cases, a person is so wild, they need to increase their shame and control their behavior so as to maintain important relationships. The wrong choice would be to place a patient who needs to close down their counterproductive wild behavior to an analyst that wants them to open up even more or conversely to place a patient that needs to open up with an analyst who closes down too many alternatives. You end up with patients who are heading for very conflictual relationships in the culture or people too inhibited to realize their potentials. Filmmaker Lars Von Trier, who has in the past enjoyed making restrictions with his moviemaking to enhance creativity, in an interview explained his upbringing as an example of too little restriction. "I come from a family of communist nudists. I was allowed to do or not do what I liked. My parents were not interested in whether I went to school or got drunk on white wine. After a childhood like that, you search for restrictions in your own life." This is an example that is rarely talked about that happened more often, later in the 20th century, with the worst consequences of bad therapy, where therapists literally seduced or implanted suggestions for savoring that were ultimately sabotaging to the patient. Earlier in the 20th century there was more of an emphasis to desire to remove restrictions in dress, culture and behavior from the 1800s that were thought to retard intellect and exploration.

The Ten Commandments - The Golden Calf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id6oS3L-D9A

Antichrist trailer - Lars Von Trier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr7xQl2kvd0

Lars Von Trier's upbringing: http://www.signandsight.com/features/465.html

For patients in neurosis caused by too much restriction, and who have few options for satisfaction in life, they are relying only on their defenses which are exhausting and hard to maintain. Repression provides only a temporary peace in these instances and those eruptions provide clues. Anna Freud used an example of the defense mechanism of reaction formation, and when at times it failed, the analyst had to be quick to notice before the patient began dissembling into what they felt was a more comfortable and acceptable opposite response. "...Reaction formation can best be studied when such formations are in the process of disintegration. In such a case the id's inroad takes the form of a reinforcement of the [craving investment] of the primitive instinctual impulse which the reaction formation concealed. This enables the impulse to force its way into consciousness, and, for a time, instinctual impulse and reaction formation are visible within the ego side by side. Owing to another function of the ego—its tendency to synthesis—this condition of affairs, which is particularly favorable for analytic observation, lasts only for a few moments at a time. Then a fresh conflict arises between id derivative and ego activity, a conflict to decide which of the two is to keep the upper hand or what compromise they will adopt...If through reinforcement of its energy [attachment] the defense set up by the ego is successful, the invading force from the id is routed and peace reigns once more in the psyche—a situation most unfruitful for our observations."

This is also why hypnosis was so often unsuccessful as a long-term therapy. "When a piece of unconscious material came to light in hypnosis, the physician introduced it to the ego, and the effect of thus forcibly bringing it into consciousness was to clear up the symptom. But the ego took no part in the therapeutic process. It tolerated the intruder only so long as it was itself under the influence of the physician who had induced hypnosis. Then it revolted and began a new struggle to defend itself against that element of the id which had been forced upon it, and so the laboriously achieved therapeutic success was [destroyed]. Thus it came about that the greatest triumph of hypnotic technique—the complete elimination of the ego during the period of investigation—proved prejudicial to permanent results and disillusionment as to the value of the technique set in."

Psychoanalysis itself can be a barrier when the ego functions are treated with little value as seen in hypnotism. The Superego should not be treated as a pollutant, but as an entity that provides more useful information. "Even in free association the role of the ego is at first still a negative one. It is true that the patient's ego is no longer forcibly eliminated. Instead, it is required to refrain from criticizing the associations. The ego is, in fact, requested to be silent and the id is invited to speak and promised that its derivatives shall not encounter the usual difficulties if they emerge into consciousness." Id derivatives in the form of craving and ego suggestions for satisfaction, as unconscious as they are, provide constant pressure on the ego to act, but when in therapy it is not about acting out. "The warrant is valid only for their translation into word representations: it does not entitle them to take control of the motor apparatus, which is their real purpose in emerging. Indeed, this apparatus is put out of action in advance by the strict rules of analytic technique. Thus we have to play a double game with the patient's instinctual impulses, on the one hand encouraging them to express themselves and, on the other, steadily refusing them gratification—a procedure which incidentally gives rise to one of the numerous difficulties in the handling of analytic technique."

As the Ego and Superego relax in free association, more and more material arises, and there the therapist has to notice the different kinds of changes to the material, like in an interrupted meditation, to notice the defenses and when they arose and what topics were interfered with. If there's an interruption by a defense, can the defense be recognized? One has to look at how the association content changed. Failure to notice the significances of these changes means authentic material coming from the patient fails to be understood and a danger may arise of relying too much on external theories, imitation, and suggestions coming from the analyst and culture, causing fresh repression.

"The ego keeps silence for a time and the id derivatives make use of this pause to force their way into consciousness. The analyst hastens to catch their utterances. Then the ego bestirs itself again, repudiates the attitude of passive tolerance which it has been compelled to assume, and by means of one or other of its customary defense mechanisms intervenes in the flow of associations. The patient transgresses the fundamental rule of analysis, or, as we say, he puts up 'resistances.' This means that the inroad of the id into the ego has given place to a counterattack by the ego upon the id. The observer's attention is now diverted from the associations to the resistance, i.e., from the content of the id to the activity of the ego. The analyst has an opportunity of witnessing, then and there, the putting into operation by the latter of one of those defensive measures against the id which I have already described and which are so obscure, and it now behooves him to make it the object of his investigation...The unconscious elements in the ego have no inclination to become conscious and derive no advantage from so doing. Hence any piece of ego analysis is much less satisfactory than the analysis of the id. It has to proceed by circuitous paths, it cannot follow out the ego activity directly, the only possibility is to reconstruct it from its influence on the patient's associations."

So a feeling can be noticed by the patient in how the craving discharges into a sense of relief as opposed to the experience of binding, or habit pleasure taking control by the dominant personality that still feels neurotic. So like in a meditation, one has to relax the need to put together meanings in real time and let the material, no matter how incomprehensible it may be, to become conscious. There is room for the ego later on to piece together meaning when there's enough abundant material to work with, kind of like having enough puzzles pieces to complete the picture.

A relaxed ego allows material to arise, and the ego's interruptions provides material about defenses. The defenses provide information of what it considers is a "wrong" desire and superimposes a "right" desire, but that would be an ego-content not an id-content, which may be the correct thing to do before someone acts, but that is when one is outside of analysis. It's important at first to find the real contents to hopefully understand what's missing in the patient's life. "It is the analyst's business first of all to recognize the defense mechanism. When he has done this, he has accomplished a piece of ego analysis. His next task is to undo what has been done by the defense, i.e., to find out and restore to its place that which has been omitted through repression, to rectify displacements, and to bring that which has been isolated back into its true context. When he has re-established the severed connections, he turns his attention once more from the analysis of the ego to that of the id...It is only when observation is focused now on the id and now on the ego and the direction of interest is twofold, extending to both sides of the human being whom we have before us, that we can speak of psychoanalysis, as distinct from the one-sided method of hypnosis."

Free Association and Dreams

To go into the heart of psychoanalysis there needs to be an examination of free association and dreaming material, which sounds like fun, but there are many pitfalls. The problem is that free association isn't completely free. One is not allow to act out in a therapeutic environment, because it's really more of an insight environment. Like in meditation, there are so many rules to keep patients in a state where they are releasing material internally, so that a cookie-cutter approach to interpretation and rationalization is avoided. For example, Lacan emphasized non-omission and non-systemization with his practice. Because wishes are so important to uncover, one has to realize that one wish may be a defense against another wish that is more freeing. As long as information can be connected or associated together, there's often room to find deeper wishes when the content remains distorted, interrupted, blocked, or if there are prolonged silences. Remember that therapists are doing therapy, so that the sense of freedom allows the patient to be more direct about their desires and more skillful in how they navigate the world and other people. Real obstacles have to be respected, but some freedom can be discovered when obstacles are found to be self-imposed.

Free association also includes insights that popup naturally where the unconscious releases helpful information, and ideally, the client after treatment will be able to just do that on their own independently. These insights are also not set in stone. Just because someone makes an association, it can't always been assumed to be accurate. False associations should also be cleared up in the name of the reality principle. When following associations towards daydreams, they are also good material to discover wishes and a sign that one is following the pleasure principle. That pursuit of pleasure in ideas will eventually find bumps in the road. "'The most important sign' of a connection between two thoughts is the length of the patient's hesitation between them."

Beyond hesitations, how the patient reacts to their own surprising content can provide even more information about defenses and self-esteem. The patient may reveal a disconnect from their mind and body. Anna Freud noticed that "'the attitude of a particular individual toward his free associations in analysis and the manner in which, when left to himself, he masters the demands of his instincts and wards off unwelcome affects enable us to deduce a priori the nature of his symptoms.' In other words, free associations are both a window and a mirror. Now given the fact that the ego at its nethermost and uppermost levels is a body ego, may we not push Anna Freud's statement further and say that the body percept is ultimately the source of free associations and the patient's attitude to free-associating?" The body also provides body language, and how the body moves related to the content can give therapists more clues to the patient's exhausting defenses.

To remind people of how exhausting defenses are, it's important to know what may be rattling around in people's minds at any given time. People are unique but there are many patterns to self-loathing. Patients could be struggling with the following:

Incestuous thoughts.

Sadistic or masochistic fantasies.

Fetishes or non-normative desires.

Unconscious attraction towards the analyst.

Hostile wishes towards family and acquaintances.

Revenge fantasies.

Resentment towards the analyst.

Embarrassing childish desires.

Pathetic desires for dependence.

Memories of public embarrassment.

Feelings of impotence and weakness.

Feeling that one is stupid beyond what is possible.

Dislike of imperfections in the body and its lack of functionality.

Fear of one's impulsive nature.

Guilt over past mistakes and missed opportunities.

Fear of loneliness.

Fear of death.

Harboring socially unacceptable prejudices and biases.

Self-punishment fantasies for unresolved guilt.

Fantasies of punishment and self-sabotage to avoid challenges.

Fantasies of sickness and malingering to avoid unpleasant activities.

Usually defenses are erected with denial and dismissal, but if there's a enough safety for the patient to be candid, there is an opportunity in a therapeutic environment to find some release that isn't normally found in the world out there, because this is the only place where there's an audience willing to listen, ideally without judgment.

Part of what makes free association work is how it reduces the bonds of narrative that usually repress the honest content that needs to be released. "The more completely we relax into passivity, the more nearly does free association approximate to the psychic mechanisms of dreams and hypnosis. Linkage by sentences begins to loosen, the verbal formulation of thoughts yields noticeably to concrete imagery, to the direct contemplation of living figures as scenes which rise into the mind's eye. The temporal framework also loosens on equal footing with the consciousness of the complete passivity of our inner experience. Memories of the past and desires for the future are experienced with the vividness of actual current events. That is about the extreme limit of waking thought. With a further increase of psychic relaxation, consciousness becomes more vague and nebulous. After the dissolution of the temporal framework, the spatial objectivity of things begins to weaken; exuberantly fantastic elements, i.e. asyntactical [tense] imaginal [compounds], begin to insert themselves between the scenically arranged groups."

Releasing Karma Through Sustained Contact with the Absolute - Stephen Snyder: https://youtu.be/wh9liDGaFT0?si=W8sHgA6tcAt2Y1pv

In the next phase, "passivity [is] replaced by activity. [There is] an increase in adaptive and synthetic ego functioning. As in the artistically creative process, so in associating, the temporarily decreased boundaries permit fusion of new [insights], new emergencies or hitherto unperceived relations between the ideational content of different temporal, logical, and other orders; insight emerges, partly as spontaneous necessary wholes, partly by trial and error, as a result of oscillation from regression of certain ego functions to an increase in others." The speech begins to lose words like conjunctions and resembles a more biblical style. "The situation is analogous to a spring held down by two weights, and when one is removed the spring moves accordingly. The attendant free associations, a controlled regression in service of the ego, is—in spite of its secondary process nature because it is speech—that speech which comes closest to indicating or reflecting primary process."

In this state, the patient is now dependent on the analyst, and hopefully this is a good analyst, and so they get a chance to imitate and develop through another person. Just like how Anna Freud pointed out the glue of imitation in the mind and how people in our environment leave imprints of themselves in our memories, we tend to be attracted to the ego-ideal, which represents the people in our lives that we think are "cool," successful, and have all the answers, like a deity. The therapists in that position have to respect the sensitivity of the client. "Regressively mental illness is experienced by the patient as punishment, and health as a gift won through appeasing offended parents and deities; the submission to honest verbalization and the existence of external restrictions 'lend an aura of confession to the flow of associations, make an inquisition of the analyst's quest for data, find condemnation in his silences, and sense accusations in his interpretations.' Functions of auxiliary ego and also superego are delegated to the analyst, and furthermore, the healthy normal cooperative superego is operative within the positive transference and the working alliance as it and not the infantile passivity of the experiencing ego supports the emergence of painful conflicts." Because many traumas from the past haven't been verbalized, the affects can now get labels to increase their understandability. "Affects expressed in words are henceforth external as well as internal realities."

Ego Psychology: Anna Freud Pt. 3: https://rumble.com/v6b5odm-ego-psychology-anna-freud-pt.-3.html

As therapeutic results are found here and there, the analysand is actually learning the skill of being a good patient in that they get better at insight and authenticity because they don't interrupt their mind's contents with defenses as much as before, and at the same time they are learning to feel impulses fully while not acting on them. They are becoming more balanced. "We must agree that a patient who does not associate is not analyzed, that a good deal of the analyst's work consists in holding the patient to free association up to the very end, and that throughout the treatment the patient's capacity to free-associate is an index of his analytical progress." There also may be a need to air out more pressing issues for the patient that need an audience now. The analyst may have to hear the patient say "I was going to free associate, but I'd better tell you what is really on my mind."

When in a proper free association state, the patient has to maintain immediacy with the content as it comes out in real time. "One of the commonest problems in free association occurs when the patient tells about rather than tells as it is or as it is happening. Telling about lacks immediacy and points to a certain self-awareness on the part of the speaker. In this connection we recall the postulate of medieval mystics: if one is aware that one is praying, it's not the perfect prayer. Ferenczi judged, 'So long as the patient introduces every idea with the phrase, 'I think that', he shows that he is inserting a critical examination between the perception and the communication of the idea.' In this connection, what I call framing devices are indicators of the ego's manifest control in associating." Patients may also desire to insert interpretations in the middle of the phase where data needs to be gathered. "The patient cannot simultaneously free associate and observe its sequence." This includes defensive measures to distance from traumatic memories by describing them in the past tense. It means that the affect associated with the memories is being blocked. "The present [tense]...has the property of conveying most readily...'the feeling of presence.' The therapist's chamber is like a control-room in a submerged submarine with the patient looking into the periscope and describing to the analyst what he sees there." In this presence, it's not just the patient saying what they are thinking, but also communicating internal images, sounds, memories of smells and tastes, and also bodily sensations and non-verbal sounds.

When inevitably the patient's mind wanders too much, the analyst can refocus with presence. "I find it helpful to stimulate free association at various times during the session by asking the patient in a definite way: 'Tell me what is in your mind right now.' The difference sounds small, yet it is considerable. What matters is the now, the urgency of the request. Usually the patient will answer this request more spontaneously than the general question, 'What comes to mind?'"

Similar to free association and hypnosis, dreaming in sleep also prevents motor activity, unless there's sleep walking. "The dreamer's psychic state differs little from that of the patient during the analytic hour. When he obeys the fundamental rule of analysis he voluntarily suspends some functions of the ego; in the dreamer this suspension takes place automatically under the influence of sleep." Sleep also provides some insight into how parts of the Ego and Superego are active in censorship. Much like studying for an exam and letting the mind sleep so as to organize the materials learned, it's a reminder to the skeptical that the mind is active in the unconscious, because without activity, the ability to habituate new information would be absent when the patient wakes up in the morning and finds the recall more effortless than the day before. "The effect of the censorship, the translation of latent dream thoughts into manifest dream content, with the distortions, condensations, displacements, reversals, and omissions which this involves, corresponds to the distortions which take place in the associations under the pressure of some resistance. Dream interpretation, then, assists us in our investigation of the id, insofar as it is successful in bringing to light latent dream thoughts (id content), and in our investigation of the ego institutions and their defensive operations, insofar as it enables us to reconstruct the measures adopted by the censor from their effect upon the dream thoughts."

The difficulty of dream interpretation is that one cannot instantly know what these image contents really mean from the get go. Analysts need to gain experience, have a lot of cultural knowledge, and in a modern environment of multiculturalism, there is the common hazard of falling into misinterpretation. As cultures also secularize, traditional religious symbols are waning as they are replaced by different ones, so being culturally informed improves accuracy with interpretations. "One by-product of dream interpretation, namely, the understanding of dream symbols, contributes largely to the success of our study of the id. Symbols are constant and universally valid relations between particular id contents and specific word or thing representations. The knowledge of these relations enables us to draw reliable inferences from conscious manifestations as to the unconscious material behind them, without having first laboriously to reverse some measure which the ego has adopted in defense. The technique of translating symbols is a short cut to understanding, or, more correctly, a way of plunging from the highest strata of consciousness to the lowest strata of the unconscious without pausing at the intermediate strata of former ego activities which may in time past have forced a particular id content to assume a specific ego form. The knowledge of the language of symbols has the same sort of value for the understanding of the id as mathematical formulae have for the solution of typical problems. Such formulae may be used with advantage. It does not matter if one is ignorant of the way in which they were originally arrived at." Regardless of symbols, the focus has to be on the wishes trying to break free and the defenses desiring more adaptation to the external world. There's always a conflict between desire and safety, with materials occasionally breaking out in unconscious speech or behaviors, as found in periods of acting out.

There are many ways to analyze dreams and each psychology sub-modality in psychoanalysis had their own opinions. Certainly if Id irruptions were allowed to happen in an unrestricted way, many people would not be able to get any sleep. There's an element of mental processing that allows for sleep and the clarification of material. Some believed in manifest content that needs to be decoded into the latent content. Orthodox Freudian views emphasized imitation, jealousy and rivalry found in the Oedipus Complex, but others want to delve into pre-Oedipal timelines before language. Psychoanalysts saw transference situations that were reflective of more recent events as well as personality elements. Later psychologists focused on problem solving in dreams to resolve ambivalence. Freudian analysis is more focused on removing repression to improve adaptability with wishes and to foster an enjoyment of well-being coming from a reduced effort towards defensiveness. Like in free association, there should be a feeling of freedom to say something that was prohibited before hand, like a feeling of "finally, I can say what I really want to." A discharge satisfaction. That catharsis connects with an understanding for people who finally learn where to go to develop new skills and increase their mastery in a consciously direct way, so repetition compulsions reduce their influence, and anger is channeled towards movements of progress, as opposed to more conflict or self-sabotage.

These feelings that look for pleasure and want to avoid pain orient the psychologist when they are lost in a sea of material. If wishes were frustrated, when were they, and by whom, or what circumstances? If material beats around the bush, what temptations existed in the environment at the time? What family members, caregivers, or friends were in the environment? What objects of desire were accessible? What actions in the environment could provide pleasure in a way that could be punished or is shameful? If a victim of abuse feels safe enough to talk about what happened, or if there's enough trust for there be a confession of shameful behavior, a discharge of energy can be enjoyed that before upheld the defenses: An energy savings. The more a patient is able to convince themselves about how much they learned, especially how to master these situations, or avoid them, the less shame they carry going forward. They can explain themselves to others when interrogated because they are or have improved the situation in their lives and that becomes proof of their development and how they are now. Here's a Freud summary for convenience on how content gets distorted:

Displacement: The emotional intensity or significance of a latent thought is shifted to a less important or seemingly unrelated element in the manifest dream, to redirect attention away from threatening or anxiety-inducing thoughts, protecting the dreamer from conscious distress. If the affect is too strong for the unrelated material, where would it fit more appropriately in the patient's history?

Condensation: The merging of multiple latent thoughts or elements into a single image or idea in the manifest dream, to compact and obscure the latent content, making it harder for the conscious mind to decipher. "One element in the manifest dream may correspond to numerous elements in the latent dream-thoughts; but, conversely too, one element in the [latent] dream-thoughts may be represented by several images in the dream." Is there a pattern of repeated content that points to many repressed memories, or is there one repressed memory that points to many different conscious contents?

Symbolization: Abstract thoughts, desires, or conflicts are translated into symbolic, often visual images or actions in the manifest dream, to disguise the latent content in ways that make it less recognizable and less likely to provoke conscious resistance. Are there symbolic images that express themes, meanings, or patterns? When these meanings are explored, are there feelings that now finally begin to arise related to wishes, conflicts, and obstacles?

Dramatization/Rationalization/Rehearsal: After the dream is constructed, the mind tries to make the fragmented, disjointed manifest content more coherent and logical by filling gaps, editing out what doesn't fit or creating a narrative, to make the dream appear more understandable to the conscious mind upon recollection, further disguising the latent content. Are there stories that alter any facts or fill in gaps that are verified to be false? Is there a rationalization that prevents a person from developing a difficult skill? Is a patient acting out in ways that look like a rehearsal of past situations?

Dreams - Sigmund Freud: https://rumble.com/v1gtf6j-dreams-sigmund-freud.html

The Psychopathology of Everyday Life - Sigmund Freud: https://rumble.com/v1gtl55-the-psychopathology-of-everyday-life-sigmund-freud.html

Humour - Sigmund Freud: https://rumble.com/v1gtm13-humour-sigmund-freud.html

Transference

One of the means of gaining information about patients and their unconscious ego structures come from transference reactions in the analytical sphere. Because of repetition, binding, and habit, there's an ease of slipping into these experiences and a difficulty in letting go of them. They can show how a person has used these catastrophizing predictions as a way to understand the world and cope with themselves. It provides a history for the analyst to explore and understand. When were these defenses used in the past? Are these skills obsolete now? What are more advanced responses to similar situations? When they are deeply embedded habits they can be a form of repetition compulsion where these transference reactions literally are repetitive and compulsive. As a refresher, Repetition Compulsion is often described as being motivated by a need to master a difficult situation. Remembering difficult situations in a repetition compulsion is exactly that, a compulsion, which means it interrupts conscious day-to-day functioning with a motor response of reactivity to rehearse a skill until it is confident that it can be ready for a similar situation in the future. If the skills aren't there, then it keeps repeating, even if people are caught in addictions, repeated conflicts, and reproduced attempts at self-sabotage. Making these patterns conscious allows the conscious ego to face a problem and develop more appropriate skills in a less compulsive way. Like in the Flow model, the brain unconsciously seeks challenges to surmount, and if the person is in over their head, there can be an obsession with finishing off the challenge if the consequences do not make it into awareness for the patient. "By transference we mean all those impulses experienced by the patient in his relation with the analyst which are not newly created by the objective analytic situation but have their source in early—indeed, the very earliest—object relations...[For example], the patient finds himself disturbed in his relation to the analyst by passionate emotions, e.g., love, hate, jealousy, and anxiety, which do not seem to be justified by the facts of the actual situation. The patient himself resists these emotions and feels ashamed, humiliated, and so forth, when they manifest themselves against his will...Because these impulses are repetitions and not new creations, they are of incomparable value as a means of information about the patient's past affective experiences."

Beyond the Pleasure Principle - Freud & Beyond - War Pt. (2/3): https://rumble.com/v1gv855-beyond-the-pleasure-principle-freud-and-beyond-war-pt.-23.html

How to gain Flow in 7 steps: https://rumble.com/v1gvked-how-to-gain-flow-in-7-steps.html

With repeated Oedipus Complex situations in the past as well as repeated humiliations leading to an intimidation, or Castration Complex, the patient can see how unskillful these reactions are, and by making conscious what was unconscious, the compulsive nature begins to wane. "Further investigation reveals the true character of these affects—they are irruptions of the id...They become comprehensible and indeed are justified if we disengage them from the analytic situation and insert them into some infantile affective situation. When thus put back into their proper place, they help us to fill up [memory gaps] in the patient's past and provide us with fresh information about his infantile instinctual and affective life. Generally he is quite willing to cooperate with us in our interpretation, for he himself feels that the transferred affective impulse is an intrusive foreign body. By putting it back into its place in the past we release him from an impulse in the present which is alien to his ego, thus enabling him to carry on the work of analysis." Defense measures also point to the character of the Id desires and what it is about them that need a particular defense. Those defenses can also be layered based on the age the patient used them and how they adapted over time or if new defenses took their place at a later stage. Going as far back as possible in the history of the patient also helps them to disidentify with those defenses so that better methods for dealing with desire can be taken on. Anna viewed the Id as "a libidinal or aggressive element," and to the ego is attributed the defense mechanism. The reality is that they are conjoined so qualitative characteristics are needed to figure out which is which. It pops the bubble of belief in the conceptual ego as being an independent entity when so many defensive measures were found to be imitated from earlier environments and Id desires were also contingent on proximity and availability for temptations to arise, therefore object choices have to be accessible before they can be identified with. This of course is difficult because the most habitual behaviors are now considered ego syntonic, or a part of one's personality, so "whenever the interpretation touches on the unknown elements of the ego, its activities in the past, that ego is wholly opposed to the work of analysis. Here evidently we have the situation which we commonly describe by the not very felicitous term 'character analysis.'"

Another way of comparing Id contents from Ego defenses is looking at the automatic nature of thoughts and the effort made on the part of the patient to stop or control. "The uninterrupted flow of associations throws light on the contents of the id; the occurrence of a resistance, on the defense mechanisms employed by the ego. The only difference is that interpretations of the transference relate exclusively to the past and may light up in a moment whole periods of the patient's past life, while the id contents revealed in free association are not connected with any particular period and the ego's defensive operations, manifested during the analytic hour in the form of resistance to free association, may belong to his present life also." Any so called acting out, may happen at this time with the patient where their desires and defenses are acted on in a compulsive way that is damaging, which has to be negotiated at the beginning of treatment as something to never act on, but if that contract is broken, there need to be interpretations applied as soon as possible so as to reduce their compulsive nature based on further understanding.

Defenses

By focusing not only on id contents, in terms of translations of symbols, but also including defenses as well as transferences, a fuller picture will arise for the analyst and more of the unconscious, including unconscious Ego and Superego elements will become conscious for the patient. These insights will include not just their unfulfilled desires but also all the obstacles in life that got in the way and certain realities will appear that require the patient to develop new skills, hence the emphasis Anna Freud made about the importance of education. If the goal in psychoanalysis is love and work, both of these require skills before satisfaction can be realistically had. Many people are well acquainted with their fantasies, and them being conscious may not mean they can act on them at the level of development they have. Desire follows a path of least resistance, which may lead to bad choices, and questions about the necessary resources, including the time and money required to upskill, can be a strong force that demotivates change. Any goals related to social concerns about rejection are potent in how they can discourage a patient from developing further. There are also challenges that can never be solved and acceptance is the only therapeutic response possible. Here are some examples of how desire, obstacles, and defensiveness can lead to anxiety and internal conflict.

Criticism leading to reaction formations based on cultural norms and the need for social attention or recognition. Feeling better by getting social rewards or reducing social punishments.

Anticipation of criticism (eg. witnessing others being criticized). Feeling better by avoiding criticism.

Physical obstacles or consequences (dangers hidden behind façade, or a fear of loss of important relationships or rewards). Feeling better by avoiding challenges that are considered too difficult and providing safety by avoiding traps.

Skill/intelligence obstacles (low self-esteem and low self-efficacy). Avoiding challenges that make one feel low self-esteem and avoiding skill development.

A comparison with better object choices. Feeling better by choosing the optimal choice. Maximizer vs. Satisficer.

Avoidance of unpleasant thoughts. Feeling better by actively thinking about neutral or positive subjects.

Projection: Not accepting repressed thoughts as one's own. Feeling better by avoiding consequences and shifting them to someone else.

Sublimation of original object-choice to a socially acceptable one. Feeling better by enjoying activities that are free of social sanction.

Denial of reality, because reality is too unpleasant. Enjoying fantasies that feel better than reality.

Forgetting unpleasant events. Feeling better by not having painful memories arise.

By taking advantage of all the different types of information coming from the client, a fuller picture arises that is more authentic for that particular patient and not just a cut and paste job with theories overlaid. This is why the analyst will appear more positive or negative because sooner or later all the psychological institutions will have been touched upon. The patient may feel a tingling as electricity looking for discharge and freedom, which leads to a positive transference towards the analyst, but feelings of embarrassment and shame can bring on criticism. "We know that the id impulses have of themselves no inclination to remain unconscious. They naturally tend upward and are perpetually striving to make their way into consciousness and so to achieve gratification or at least to send up derivatives to the surface of consciousness. The analyst's work follows the same direction as, and reinforces, this upward tendency. Thus to the repressed elements in the id he appears in the light of a helper and liberator...With the ego and the superego the case is different. Insofar as the ego institutions have endeavored to restrain the id impulses by methods of their own, the analyst comes on the scene as a disturber of the peace. In the course of his work he abolishes repressions which have been laboriously achieved and destroys compromise formations whose effect, indeed, was pathological but whose form was perfectly ego syntonic. The analyst's aim in bringing the unconscious into consciousness and the efforts of the ego institutions to master the instinctual life are contrary to one another. Hence, except insofar as the patient's insight into his illness determines matters otherwise, the ego institutions regard the analyst's purpose as a menace...The ego is antagonistic to the analysis, in that it is unreliable and biased in its self-observation and, while conscientiously registering and passing on certain facts, falsifies and rejects others and prevents them from coming to light—a procedure wholly contrary to the methods of analytic research, which insists on seeing everything that emerges, without discrimination. Finally, the ego is itself the object of analysis, in that the defensive operations in which it is perpetually engaged are carried on unconsciously and can be brought into consciousness only at a considerable expenditure of effort, very much like the unconscious activity of any of the prohibited instinctual impulses."

With experience, analysis begins to show predictable patterns for the analyst that will give them insight into the patient who is learning interpretations about these contents for the first time. "...In analysis all the material which assists us to analyze the ego makes its appearance in the form of resistance to the analysis of the id. The facts are so self-evident that explanation seems almost superfluous. The ego becomes active in the analysis whenever it desires by means of a counteraction to prevent an inroad by the id. Since it is the aim of the analytic method to enable ideational representatives of repressed instincts to enter consciousness, i.e., to encourage these inroads by the id, the ego's defensive operations against such representatives automatically assume the character of active resistance to analysis. And since, further, the analyst uses his personal influence to secure the observance of the fundamental rule which enables such ideas to emerge in the patient’s free associations, the defense set up by the ego against the instincts takes the form of direct opposition to the analyst himself. Hostility to the analyst and a strengthening of the measures designed to prevent the id impulses from emerging coincide automatically. When, at certain moments in the analysis, the defense is withdrawn and instinctual representatives can make their appearance unhindered in the form of free associations, the relation of the ego to the analyst is relieved of disturbance from this quarter."

As defenses become recorded along with diagnoses of personality disorders, more patterns appear that can connect those disorders to them and timelines of development can predict which defenses are used at which time. When a diagnosis is made, then treatments may be targeted to not just the individual but also the class of disorder the patient falls into. "We know that there is a regular connection between particular neuroses and special modes of defense, as, for instance, between hysteria and repression or between obsessional neurosis and the processes of isolation and undoing. The symptom formation of hysterical patients in their conflict with their instincts is based primarily on repression: they exclude from consciousness the ideational representatives of their sexual impulses. On the other hand, we learn that the mode of defense adopted in symptom formation by the ego of the obsessional neurotic is that of isolation. It simply removes the instinctual impulses from their context, while retaining them in consciousness."

Anna Freud's rough chronology of defense deployments

Side-by-side with instinctual processes

Isolation - Isolating thoughts or behavior so that their links with other thoughts or with the remainder of the subject's life are broken. Eg. Pauses in train of thought, formulas, rituals and in a general way all those measures which facilitate the insertion of a hiatus into the temporal sequence. Magical thinking that prevents psychological pain.

Undoing - Acts are hoped to be undone by an opposite action.

The period after the ego has been differentiated from the outside world

Projection - Taking internal knowledge and making guesses in the outside world.

Incorporation / Introjection / Identification - Incorporation is sampling to detect good and bad objects outside. Introjection is making a preference. Identification is when that preference becomes a habit. Identification is often synonymous with Internalization.

Repression / Suppression - Repression comes about by controlling impulses that may draw social criticism or there's an anticipation of social criticism. Suppression involves controlling impulses because they are unpleasant to satisfy at the present time for the subject.

Reaction formation - Doing the opposite behavior after criticism or anticipation of criticism.

After Super-ego is partially developed (skill development)

Sublimation - Sublimation, i.e., the displacement of the instinctual aim in conformity with higher social values, presupposes the acceptance or at least the knowledge of such values, that is to say, presupposes the existence of the superego.

Identification with an aggressor - Imitating the forms of leverage found in authority figures to try and take power and move out of powerlessness.

Moving within stages of psychic structure

Turning against the self - Vicissitudes of the instinct. "Were it not for the intervention of the ego or of those external forces which the ego represents, every instinct would know only one fate—that of gratification."

Reversal - Activity transformed into passivity. Eg. Sadism into masochism. Exhibitionism into voyeurism.

Regression - Reverting to a developmental past. Eg. Oral phase, Anal phase. A transition of modes of expression that are on a lower level as regards to complexity, structure and differentiation.

Superego Anxiety

The difference between the Ego and Superego are pronounced by their relationship to contents from the Id. "...Some instinctual wish seeks to enter consciousness and with the help of the ego to attain gratification. The latter would not be averse to admitting it, but the superego protests. The ego submits to the higher institution and obediently enters into a struggle against the instinctual impulse, with all the consequences which such a struggle entails...The ego itself does not regard the impulse which it is fighting as in the least dangerous. The motive which prompts the defense is not originally its own. The instinct is regarded as dangerous because the superego prohibits its gratification and, if it achieves its aim, it will certainly stir up trouble between the ego and the superego. Hence the ego of the adult neurotic fears the instincts because it fears the superego. Its defense is motivated by superego anxiety."

This anxiety is necessary to have a conscience and not be an anti-social type, but it can also go too far in the other direction. "[The superego] sets up an ideal standard, according to which sexuality is prohibited and aggression pronounced to be antisocial. It demands a degree of sexual renunciation and restriction of aggression which is incompatible with psychic health. The ego is completely deprived of its independence and reduced to the status of an instrument for the execution of the superego’s wishes; the result is that it becomes hostile to instinct and incapable of enjoyment. The study of the situation of defense as revealed in the neurosis of adults impels us to pay very special attention in our therapeutic work to the analysis of the superego. A modification of its severity is bound to relieve the ego and to lessen the neurotic conflict." For Anna, the parents must mirror the goals of education which are to control impulses for tactfulness but not to the point where neurosis and anxiety begin to enter the picture.

Reality must also be heeded when dealing with the aggressive impulses. Everything has to be modulated to avoid extremes.  "...The child's aggressiveness must have an outlet in the outside world, so that it does not become dammed up and turned inward, for, if it does, it will endow the superego with cruel characteristics." Again, the differences between children and adults is that the children are responding to external authority figures whereas the adult does deal with them but also their internal representatives. Children can best be helped by changing the environment, whereas adults need unconscious influences to become conscious so as to control those influences. Where analysis can fail is in psychosis when the patient fears their impulses because they may drown their already weak ego to begin with and lose reality for extended periods of time.

Denial

For a defense mechanism like Denial, Anna Freud put a special focus on it and how it connects with psychosis and a patient's rejection of reality. There are many different kinds of psychoses, and in the early days of psychology many disorders and symptoms were lumped together. What Anna was talking about more closely matches with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Narcissistic Psychosis, Delusion, Depersonalization, Derealization, Severe Depression, Avoidant Personality Disorder, and Postpartum Psychosis. All these situations are more emotional than an obvious psychosis based on brain injury. Anna gave an example of a patient Hans. "Hans denied reality by means of his fantasy; he transformed it to suit his own purposes and to fulfill his own wishes; then, and not till then, could he accept it...[He] denied a painful fact and in his lion fantasy turned it into its pleasurable opposite. He called the anxiety animal his friend, and its strength, instead of being a source of terror, was now at his service."

Anna also targeted daydreams and waking fantasies with psychosis being just at the extreme end of this phenomenon. "It is difficult to say when the ego loses the power of surmounting considerable quantities of objective unpleasure by means of fantasy. We know that, even in adult life, daydreams may still play a part, sometimes enlarging the boundaries of a too narrow reality and sometimes completely reversing the real situation. But in adult years a daydream is almost of the nature of a game, a kind of byproduct with but a slight [craving attachment]; at most it serves to master quite trifling quantities of discomfort or to give the subject an illusory relief from some minor unpleasure. It seems that the original importance of the daydream as a means of defense against objective anxiety is lost when the earliest period of childhood comes to an end. For one thing, we conjecture that the faculty of reality testing is objectively reinforced, so that it can hold its own even in the sphere of affect; we also know that, in later life, the ego's need for synthesis makes it impossible for opposites to coexist; perhaps, too, the attachment of the mature ego to reality is in general stronger than that of the infantile ego, so that, in the nature of the case, fantasy ceases to be so highly prized as in earlier years. At any rate it is certain that in adult life gratification through fantasy is no longer harmless. As soon as more considerable quantities of [emotional investment] are involved, fantasy and reality become incompatible: it must be one or the other. We know, too, that for an id impulse to make an irruption into the ego and there to obtain gratification by means of hallucination spells, for an adult, psychotic disease. An ego which attempts to save itself anxiety and renunciation of instinct and to avoid neurosis by denying reality is overstraining this mechanism."

All the challenges in life experienced through reality testing that create this dislike are put under the heading of repression for Anna and on the side of the patient, there is an acute weakness for adaptation. "We do not yet know precisely what takes place in the adult ego when it chooses delusional gratification and renounces the function of reality testing. It severs itself from the outside world and entirely ceases to register external stimuli. In the instinctual life such insensitiveness to inner stimuli can be acquired in only one way—by the mechanism of repression...It can be employed only so long as it can exist side by side with the capacity for reality testing without disturbing it. The organization of the mature ego becomes unified through synthesis and this method of denial is then discarded and is resumed only if the relation to reality has been gravely disturbed and the function of reality testing suspended. In psychotic delusions, for instance, a piece of wood may represent love objects which the patient longs for or has lost, just as children use similar things to protect them." Anna also suggests that parenting and cultural environment shouldn't protect the child too much from reality and allow them to develop reality-testing skills early on so that reality becomes something reliable for the adult's psyche. "The fate of anxiety is sometimes determined by the indulgence extended by other people to such protective measures."

Reality is unpleasant for most people some of the time and it can be a cul-de-sac when children or adults cannot find a place in life where they can win. When the child or adult turns only to a spectator, an envy arises to interfere with the other children or co-workers for the adult and sabotage their engaged activity leading to conflict. "A game with me in which [the patient] did not win, in fact, anything which he could not do quite as well as I could was enough to produce the same sudden change of mood. He lost all pleasure in what he was doing, gave it up, and automatically, as it seemed, ceased to be interested in it. On the other hand, he would become obsessed with occupations in which he felt himself to be my superior and would spend unlimited time on them. It was only natural that, when he first went to school, he behaved just as he did with me. He steadily refused to join the other children in any game or lesson in which he did not feel quite sure of himself. He would go from one child to another and 'look on.' His method of mastering unpleasure by reversing it into something pleasurable had undergone a change. He restricted the functioning of his ego and drew back, greatly to the detriment of his development, from any external situation which might possibly give rise to the type of unpleasure which he feared most. Only when he was with children much younger than himself did he get rid of these restrictions and take an active interest in their doings...The mere comparison of their achievements with those of the other children robs their work of all its value in their eyes. If they fail in a task or a constructive game, they conceive a permanent disinclination to repeat the attempt. So they remain inactive and reluctant to bind themselves to any place or occupation, contenting themselves with looking on at the work of the others. Secondarily, their idling about has an antisocial effect, for, being bored, they begin to quarrel with the children who are absorbed in work or play...When children defend themselves against the unpleasure which they experience on comparing their own performances with those of others, the feeling in question is merely substitutive. The sight of another person's superior achievement signifies (or at least it did so in my patient) the sight of genitals larger than their own, and these they envy. Again, when they are encouraged to emulate their fellows, it suggests the hopeless rivalry of the oedipus phase or the disagreeable realization of the difference between the sexes."

Anna's educational background found situations where children like this made a turn around and it involved removing the comparisons to avoid the Oedipus Complex, Penis Envy and Castration Complexes. "The children who insist on playing the part of spectators recover their capacity for work if the conditions under which they have to work are changed. One little girl of the former type was obliged for external reasons to stay away for a time from her first school, where it had been her habit to 'look on.' She was taught privately and she at once mastered, in the form of play, lessons which had remained a closed book to her so long as she was with other children. I know of a similar instance of a complete turnabout in another little girl of seven. As she was backward at school, she had some private coaching. In these lessons at home her behavior was normal and there was no sign of any inhibition, but she was quite unable to produce these good results at school, where the lessons were on just the same lines. Thus, these two little girls could learn, provided that there was no question of their achievements being compared with those of other children, just as the little boy whom I analyzed could take part in the games of younger but not of older playmates. To outward appearance such children behave as if the activities in question were subject to both an inner and an external prohibition. In reality, however, the check is automatic and takes place as soon as a particular activity results in a disagreeable impression. The psychic situation of these children is similar to that which the study of femininity has shown to be characteristic of little girls at a particular turning point in their development. Independently of any fear of punishment or anxiety of conscience, a little girl at a certain period in her life gives up clitoral masturbation, thus restricting her masculine strivings. Her self-love is mortified when she compares herself with boys, who are better equipped for masturbation, and she does not want to be constantly reminded of her disadvantages by indulging in the practice."

Outside of removing the fear of comparison, Anna tends to look at competition as a more masculine trait, but what's missing is the need to learn from sports and sportsmanship, for example, in which losers learn from losses to make renewed attempts at winning later. Then the comparison does not matter because one's expectations that one always has to win is not indulged. There's less fear of retaliation in a society that accepts merit and winning. Societies that fan the flames of envy will lead to political movements that punish success, which just increases poverty. Certainly the child that is "looking on" with envy may need to be privately tutored, but in reality, the bullying from the envious child is a trauma and a major distraction for the children who were doing the right thing all along. Quite often private tutoring is requested precisely because the child who is putting in the effort needs to remove all the bullying from the environment so they can continue their development. These influences easily reach from childhood, into the workplace, and into the greater political world that we are living with today.

Even if the child is privately tutored, there's still the inherent resistance when inner conflict continues in the child when doing their studies. When this reaction is severe, it becomes self-sabotage that prevents development of the child into adulthood because work becomes something that is not worth it and reality must be escaped. When it's less severe, there may be a lopsided development in the child's gifts, which isn't all bad, but it can lead to a lack of balance where important skills need to be developed regardless of personality preference. Resilience is required in order to become well-rounded. "The obstinacy with which each separate id impulse sets itself to attain its goal transforms the simple process of inhibition into a fixed neurotic symptom, which represents a perpetual conflict between the wish of the id and the defense set up by the ego. The patient exhausts his energy in the struggle; his id impulses adhere with but little modification to the wish to calculate, to speak in public, to play the violin or whatever it may be, while at the same time the ego with equal persistence prevents or at least mars the execution of his wish...It drops the activities which liberate unpleasure or anxiety, and has no further desire to engage in them. Whole fields of interest are abandoned and, when the ego's experience has been unfortunate, it will throw all its energies into some pursuit of an entirely opposite character. We have instances of this in the little football player who took to literature and the little dancer whose disappointment led to her becoming a prize scholar. Of course, in these cases the ego does not create new capacities; it merely makes use of those which it already possesses...When the ego is young and plastic, its withdrawal from one field of activity is sometimes compensated for by excellence in another, upon which it concentrates. But, when it has become rigid or has already acquired an intolerance of unpleasure and so is obsessionally fixated to the method of flight, such withdrawal is punished by impaired development. By abandoning one position after another it becomes one-sided, loses too many interests, and can show but a meager achievement."

Identification with an aggressor

Children who are sensitive to criticism, which all people are to one extent or another, can lead to deliberations as to how fair or unfair these criticisms are, and that's why corrupt authority figures do so much damage when the criticisms are unfair and are just a projection of power and exploitation. It sends the signal and role modeling for younger generations to look at criticisms as a weapon that puts people in a more secure position of power and so power is sought, even if constructive criticism is experienced. Criticism becomes something that takes the spotlight off the corrupt leader and like with many politicians, for example, they have no intention of changing their ways and so they go to war and play people off of each other to distract and deflect while they continue stealing from the populace, or they continue being a drug lord, gangster, or continue some other corrupt practice with no change. Children see all this and become the new generation of criminals in a fairly predictable and smooth path. "By impersonating the aggressor, assuming his attributes or imitating his aggression, the child transforms himself from the person threatened into the person who makes the threat. In 'identification with the aggressor' we recognize a by no means uncommon stage in the normal development of the superego. When [children in] cases I [worked on] identified themselves with their elders' threats of punishment, they were taking an important step toward the formation of that institution: they were internalizing other people's criticisms of their behavior. When a child constantly repeats this process of internalization and introjects the qualities of those responsible for his upbringing, making their characteristics and opinions his own, he is all the time providing material from which the superego may take shape. But at this point children are not quite whole-hearted in acknowledging that institution. The internalized criticism is not yet immediately transformed into self-criticism. It is dissociated from the child's own reprehensible activity and turned back on the outside world. By means of a new defensive process identification with the aggressor is succeeded by an active assault on the outside world."

This is also a process that can be included with projection where if a person doesn't care about their own behavior, they can enjoy being hypercritical of others as a strategy for dominance, as long as they can hide their hypocrisy. The benefit here is to continue corrupt and perverse incentives while using higher standards on competitors. It leads to a blackmail society found heavily in political environments. "Even when the external criticism has been introjected, the threat of punishment and the offense committed have not yet been connected up in the patient's mind. The moment the criticism is internalized, the offense is externalized. This means that the mechanism of identification with the aggressor is supplemented by another defensive measure, namely, the projection of guilt." Then when you add normalizing behaviors coming from a culture of corruption that doesn't see it as such, including quid pro quo financial incentives, cultivated dependencies, coercion against gatekeepers and whistleblowers for ethical behavior, and threats against disloyalty, it's easy to see people accept hypocrisy more consciously as an adult because it becomes simply a business procedure and "how things are done here." Eventually everyone is corrupt to one degree or another and the projection mechanism becomes a "you first" attitude when it comes to improving ethical standards. Anna perceptibly sees the inflection point when this happens. "[Their] indignation increases automatically when the perception of [their] own guilt is imminent." Nobody wants a traffic ticket when all the other speeders get away scot-free. Living a moral life of course is not easy when incentives are there to erode their willpower. The moral will feel more internal pain, which includes empathy, than an anti-social type. "This stage in the development of the superego is a kind of preliminary phase of morality. True morality begins when the internalized criticism, now embodied in the standard exacted by the superego, coincides with the ego's perception of its own fault. From that moment, the severity of the superego is turned inward instead of outward and the subject becomes less intolerant of other people. But, when once it has reached this stage in its development, the ego has to endure the more acute unpleasure occasioned by self-criticism and the sense of guilt."

You can see the beginnings of Ego-psychology where one cannot just analyze the Ego and Superego as monolithic entities without seeing how the internal Ego and Superego behave compared to the external representatives. Both sides have to be developed. "It is possible that a number of people remain arrested at the intermediate stage in the development of the superego and never quite complete the internalization of the critical process. Although perceiving their own guilt, they continue to be peculiarly aggressive in their attitude to other people. In such cases the behavior of the superego toward others is as ruthless as that of the superego toward the patient's own ego in melancholia. Perhaps when the evolution of the superego is thus inhibited, it indicates an abortive beginning of the development of melancholic states." People also want others to be punished as harshly as they were. Many feel that because they know that they hide their corruption that others do as well. If they are caught they want all the other ones who got away with the same behavior to be rounded up and punished just the same. Because policing is always limited in what it can do, the injustices of the imperfect world motivate an external strategy and no internal changes are made. Too much external worry about others can lead to paranoia that criminals often feel. "'Identification with the aggressor' represents, on the one hand, a preliminary phase of superego development and, on the other, an intermediate stage in the development of paranoia."

Anna sees this also in intimate relationships and threats of infidelity when different types of pleasure compete in the mind, and when the adult has never developed the internal part of the Superego, but only the external portion of the institution. Even identification with an aggressor harbors a pleasure, which is the pleasure of double standards, entitlement, superiority, and commodification of others. Others are a tool for pleasure and exploitation, not a person to negotiate with. The example she uses of a husband where he already has a craving attachment to his wife, but yet is still tempted by other women, leads to a pre-emptive strike. The knowledge that temptation is possible for his wife brings it into the present moment without evidence that she is currently cheating. What he doesn't see is that he is trying to enjoy the pleasure of bigamy while not wanting to allow equality and share his wife with other men. The pleasure is so distracting in denial that he doesn't see what is disgusting for himself, like the sharing of possible diseases, or the inferior comparison with the performance of other men, would be disgusting for his wife as well when she detects a female competitor. It's the lack of acceptance in his Superego to witness his bad behavior as being significant, which is still hidden from his wife in Anna's example, while also trying to maximize pleasure, and with a narcissistic attitude of having special rights. "When a husband displaces onto his wife his own impulses to be unfaithful and then reproaches her passionately with unfaithfulness, he is really introjecting her reproaches and projecting part of his own id. His intention, however, is to protect himself not against aggression from without but against the shattering of his positive [craving] fixation to her by disturbing forces from within. Accordingly the result is different. Instead of an aggressive attitude toward some former external assailants the patient develops an obsessional fixation to his wife, which takes the form of projected jealousy."

As complicated as this psychoanalytic jargon is, when you look closely, he is actually trying to preserve a double standard for more pleasure for himself and denying her independence to do the same. It's a deficit of morality and the denial mechanism that allows the hypocrisy. Here you can say it's an inability for this hypothetical husband to find enjoyment in a clear conscience and an unwillingness to forego exploration and tolerate boredom that is found in most long-term relationships. That boredom covers over the reality that his partner does have negotiation options and there are consequences for an imperial attitude emanating from the husband. All these are forms of double standards and royal entitlement. In a therapeutic environment, all these unconscious processes would have to be pointed out, and because this is unpleasant, patients are likely to indulge the denial further and go into a negative transference towards the analyst. The denial pleasure evades the knowledge of boundaries for the short-term pleasure that is afforded in infidelity. It's the childish lack of development of not wanting sacrifices to accept standards, while seeing the benefit of demanding standards for other people: A maximizing of pleasure with no boundaries.

Boundarilessness can also develop from childhood when seeing authority figures get away with bad behavior because real world punishments can't always be there to censure every infraction. The hiding of infractions becomes paramount in being able to extend this expansion of pleasure beyond the boundaries of others before they force a negotiation and threaten consequences. Anna saw that people only confess their sins when they know there is no criticism or punishment forthcoming, and modern therapists have long learned that it requires a non-judgmental attitude on the part of the therapist to identify with their greed to access those confessions. If we can communicate and resonate with patients of how tempting their object-choices are, the more likely they will fess up their actual infractions. The powerful, or those with entitlement attitudes, are denying the independence of others and without a confession of their misdeeds, there's no way to bring up the rights of others and the powerful will continue their paranoia of what others will do to them and accuse others of what they do. Whenever you see people accusing others of what they are guilty of, you can see that there's a tyrannical desire behind it in defense of their privilege.

Object Relations: Fear Of Success Pt. 7: https://rumble.com/v3ub2sa-object-relations-fear-of-success-pt.-7.html

The correct attitude that provides therapeutic results, which is to reduce the expenditure of energy on defense mechanisms, is to admit one's flaws and negotiate with other flawed people so that one is conscious of one's temptations. As repeatedly emphasized in Anna's book, we are better able to control impulses that are conscious to us than to deny their influence. Then a discussion about consequences, or even negotiations where people accept their desires and create new combinations, can begin so that the effort to hide and compartmentalize impulses can be put down. Consequences are so important to consider because imitation of authority figures, which is chasing the ego-ideal and superegos of others, will be chasing an illusion, because all partners will have flaws and temptations to cheat, usually denying realistic details and default on the attitude of putting new candidates on a pedestal. Unless one is in an abusive relationship, new partners are not likely to meet the standards of a deity that ego-ideals request of them.

The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence - Anna Freud: https://www.isbns.net/isbn/9781855750388/

Psychoanalysis and Discourse - Patrick Mahoney: https://www.isbns.net/isbn/9780422617208/

Essential Papers on Dreams - Melvin R. Lansky: https://www.isbns.net/isbn/9780814750629/

The Language of Psychoanalysis by Jean Laplanche, Jean-Bertrand Pontalis: https://www.isbns.net/isbn/9780367328139/

Alperin, R. M. (2004). Toward an Integrated Understanding of Dreams. Clinical Social Work Journal, 32(4), 451–469.

Psychology: http://psychreviews.org/category/psychology01/

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