The Ego and Survival (What Anna Freud Taught us)
The Art of Therapy · Treatment Works Health Care Centre
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Show Notes
Episode 4 introduces Anna Freud’s ego psychology and the clinical value of understanding what the ego is doing in session. We explore defence mechanisms as adaptive strategies—often necessary for survival—and how Anna Freud’s work helps therapists distinguish between healthy and unhealthy defences with greater clarity.
We also reflect on trauma-related work and why ego strengthening, reorientation, and safety can be foundational steps before deeper interpretive or exploratory interventions. This episode adds a practical, therapist-friendly layer to the integrative map of psychotherapy.
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