Self-sabotage and self-destructive behaviors are common struggles that often motivate people to seek therapy. Despite a conscious desire to change, many find themselves acting against their own best interests while trapped in cycles of avoidance, procrastination, addiction, infidelity, or unhealthy relationships. Traditionally, psychology has labeled such behaviors as “masochistic,” suggesting
IFS Protector Parts: Our Allies Within

A fundamental principle in psychotherapy is the necessity of coping with the emotional discomfort, pain, and traumas that invariably shape our lives. In psychodynamic theory, for example, the concept of psychological defenses plays a fundamental role in understanding how individuals cope with challenging or traumatic experiences. Our defenses are automatic,

