Suppression is a mature defence mechanism that involves consciously choosing to set aside uncomfortable or distressing thoughts or emotions to effectively manage demands. As described by George Vaillant, suppression reflects psychological strength and self-regulation, which is an individual’s ability to acknowledge discomfort without avoidance, and allows for emotional processing when the time and context are right.

Sublimation is a mature defence mechanism where instinctual or socially unacceptable impulses are then transitioned into creative and purposeful actions, which reflects psychological growth and resilience, as described by Vaillant. It illustrates how inner conflict can be redirected into expressions that are meaningful and healthy, which can then allow patients to turn emotional tension into personal development.

Humour, identified by Vaillant as one of the mature psychological defences, allows patients to face painful or anxiety-provoking realities with self-awareness by shifting distress into something tolerable. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, it shows the capacity to acknowledge truth without distortion, and offers both protection and insight into the deeper layers of emotions.

Repression is a defence mechanism that unconsciously keeps painful thoughts, feelings, emotions, and memories out of awareness, and forms patients’ behaviour and relationships in hidden ways. Although it can temporarily protect against feeling overwhelmed, persistent reliance on this defence can lead to unresolved conflicts that psychodynamic therapy looks to bring into conscious awareness and understanding.

Displacement is described by Vaillant as a neurotic defence mechanism where patients redirect emotions from a threatening or inaccessible source onto a safer target. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can help patients recognize these patterns and turn them into healthier and more direct ways of managing conflict.

Dissociation is a defence mechanism that allows the mind to protect itself from feeling overwhelmed by conflict or trauma by temporarily detaching from painful thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences. This process can be beneficial in the moment, but can be limiting over time. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, and as described in Vaillant’s framework of defences, dissociation is seen as a way of coping that offers protection but ends up requiring careful integration to support emotional growth.

Reaction formation is a neurotic defence mechanism where unacceptable impulses or feelings are unconsciously switched into their opposite, such as exaggerated friendliness masking hostility, which allows anxiety to be managed but can limit authenticity and cause long-term difficulties especially in relationships. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, recognizing this can help uncover hidden conflicts and can support patients in awareness and healing.

Intellectualization is a psychological defence mechanism where individuals cope with distress by focusing on logic and abstract reasoning instead of experiencing their emotions. As George Vaillant observed in his hierarchy of defences, it is a neurotic defence that can offer resilience during crises but, if overused, may limit emotional connections long-term.

Acting out is a defence mechanism where unconscious conflicts and difficult emotions are expressed through impulsive behaviours rather than words. This defence is classified by George Vaillant as an immature defence as it provides short-term relief but can usually disrupt relationships and therapy, which makes it essential for psychodynamic treatment to help turn these actions into healthier communication and understanding.

Passive aggression is an unconscious defense mechanism where anger or hostility is expressed indirectly through behaviours like procrastination, silence, sarcasm, or withdrawal. George Eman Vaillant described this as an immature defense that protects individuals from the anxiety of direct confrontation but can leave conflicts unresolved, which makes it an important focus in psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Fantasy projection, as described by George Eman Vaillant, is a defense mechanism in which individuals unconsciously attribute their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others, which can lead them into elaborate imagined scenarios. In psychodynamic therapy, exploring these fantasies can uncover underlying conflicts and provide insights leading to an increased self-awareness.

Projection is a defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously attribute their own unwanted thoughts or feelings to others, which can distort relationships and self-understanding. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, exploring projection can help patients gain greater self-awareness and clarity, and as a result, may improve relationships.

Denial is a psychological defense mechanism where individuals unconsciously reject painful realities to avoid emotional distress. Although this can offer short-term psychological relief, it can also impair reality testing and emotional growth, which makes it a main focus in psychodynamic psychotherapy. This process was studied by psychiatrist George Eman Vaillant.

Delusional projection, first theorized by psychiatrist George Eman Vaillant as a psychotic-level defense mechanism, involves unconsciously attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others in a fixed or delusional manner. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, it is can be seen as a primitive strategy to manage overwhelming internal conflict and is addressed through careful and empathic therapeutic engagement.

Adlerian Family Therapy is a psychodynamic approach based on Alfred Adler’s theory of individual psychology that addresses individual beliefs, roles, and patterns which helps families understand and improve their dynamics. This approach has an emphasis on encouragement and mutual respect which can allow families to resolve conflict and build emotional connections through a shared purpose and a sense of belonging.

Psychodynamic Attachment-Based Family Therapy is an approach that combines psychodynamic and attachment theories to help relational difficulties and address emotional distress within families by uncovering unconscious patterns influenced by early caregiver relationships. This approach allows for safe and open dialogue and encourages emotional expression, which can lead to strengthened attachment bonds and family dynamics.

Structural Family Therapy (SFT) is an approach developed by Salvador Minuchin that looks at individual psychological distress as caused by dysfunctional family structures, focusing on the need to reorganize boundaries, roles, and hierarchies within the family to create healthier relationships. This approach can help restructure relationships and dynamics to create effective communication and emotional wellbeing as it engages with the family as a whole.

Bowenian Family Systems Therapy is a psychodynamically informed approach that looks at how unconscious emotional patterns and family dynamics influence individual and family functioning. Many concepts are examined through this approach such as "emotional fusion", "triangulation", and "inherited anxiety", which can help patients gain insights and create more balanced connections.

Adlerian therapy for couples is a psychodynamically informed and goal-oriented approach that helps partners and spouses look at the unconscious patterns influenced by early experiences, while remaining mutually respectful, equal, and with a shared purpose. It works to support couples in rebuilding their connection from conflict and becoming more meaningful and collaborative by emphasizing empathy and understanding.

Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C) is an evidence-based approach that helps partners or spouses look at emotional patterns based on attachment needs and past relationship experiences to create a more secure bond. Although this approach is usually short-term, EFT-C can be adapted or combined with other approaches for longer-term therapy, especially within the context of psychodynamic therapy.