TECHNIQUES FOR STRENGTHENING CLIENTS OBSERVING EGO

The construct of the observing ego has received little attention in th e psychotherapy literature since it was first introduced by Freud, yet , its attainment is considered one of the hallmarks of mental health. Despite the importance of increasing clients' observing ego functions, little has been written about how to accomplish this goal in psychoth erapy. This article describes an integrative-psychodynamic approach to treatment that selectively uses modified techniques from other theore tical approaches is described. The relationship between the therapeuti c alliance and the observing ego is discussed and four techniques for increasing observing ego functions are suggested. These include: a) th e use of clarification following catharsis; b) increasing reality test ing; c) sewing as an auxiliary ego; and d) the use of distancing techn iques such as the conscious projection of a problem, use of metaphors, humor, journals, and the gestalt empty chair technique.