Understanding Projection, Retroflection, and Confluence in Psychotherapy
4 minute read
In psychotherapy, particularly within Gestalt therapy, projection, retroflection, and confluence are psychological processes that shape how individuals interact with themselves and others. Recognizing these processes can help people develop self-awareness and healthier relationships.
What Are Projection, Retroflection, and Confluence in Psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, particularly within Gestalt therapy, projection, retroflection, and confluence are psychological processes that shape how individuals interact with themselves and others. Recognizing these processes can help people develop self-awareness and healthier relationships.
Projection: Seeing Your Own Traits in Others
Projection occurs when a person attributes their own feelings, thoughts, or motives to someone else. This defense mechanism helps individuals avoid discomfort but can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.
For example, someone who struggles with anger may accuse others of being hostile, even when there is no clear evidence. According to Freud (1920), projection is a common defense mechanism used to protect the ego from unwanted emotions. In therapy, identifying projection helps clients take responsibility for their emotions rather than attributing them to others.
Retroflection: Turning Energy Inward
Retroflection happens when individuals direct emotions or actions meant for others back onto themselves. This process can manifest as self-criticism, self-harm, or even physical symptoms related to suppressed emotions.
For instance, someone who fears expressing anger outwardly may develop headaches or stomach pain as a way of unconsciously suppressing their frustration. Perls (1973), the founder of Gestalt therapy, described retroflection as a way individuals divide themselves, leading to self-punishment instead of direct communication with others. Therapy focuses on helping clients express these feelings outwardly in a healthy way.
Confluence: Blurring Boundaries Between Self and Others
Confluence occurs when a person lacks clear boundaries between themselves and others, leading to difficulty distinguishing their own needs, thoughts, and emotions from those of others. This often results in excessive people-pleasing or avoiding conflict to maintain harmony.
For example, a person in a relationship may agree with their partner’s opinions even when they don’t actually share them. Gestalt therapy, as discussed by Polster & Polster (1974), helps clients become more aware of their individuality and develop healthier interpersonal boundaries.
How These Processes Work in Therapy
Therapists work with clients to recognize and address projection, retroflection, and confluence through awareness-building techniques such as:
Mindfulness – Encouraging clients to notice their emotional reactions in the moment.
Dialogues and Role-Playing – Helping individuals differentiate between their feelings and others’ perceptions.
Body Awareness – Identifying physical manifestations of suppressed emotions.
By increasing self-awareness, clients can develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others, leading to improved emotional well-being and stronger relationships.
Final Thoughts
Projection, retroflection, and confluence are natural psychological processes that can become problematic when unchecked. Understanding these concepts in psychotherapy helps individuals take responsibility for their emotions, set boundaries, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Through therapy, people can gain greater self-awareness and improve their emotional and relational well-being.