Integral Counseling and a Three-Factor Model of Defenses

This article introduces 3 major factors of K. Wilber's (1999b) "all-quadrants, all-levels" model of defenses: the category of defense, the level of self development and defense, and the threat zone against which the self is defending. Through theoretical discussion and select clinical examples differentiating healthy and unhealthy expressions of psychological defense, the author explores their developmental nature. Implications for clinical assessment and intervention are raised throughout.