"Why Modern Orgonomy?" Modern Orgonomy is an outgrowth of the current therapeutic call to harness…
April 2021 – A Refreshed Look at Character Analysis
Chapter 3 of my book Whole Therapist, Whole Patient Integrating Reich, Masterson, and Jung in Modern Psychotherapy (2018) introduces character analytic interventions for professionals and interested others in the art of present-centered contact and acute tracking that permits observation of the dominant character style as it appears before the clinician. This type of character analysis allows for a clear perception of the character types, allowing you to correctly assess the diagnosis. One must be alert to the client’s defensive styles which are signature markers and are readily observable.
Why is this important? The character style is the map of treatment; without it, you are in the dark; you don’t really see who is in front of you and are ad-libbing rather than being prepared. Often when I supervise professionals, I find that they don’t sufficiently grasp who is in front of them. Correct character diagnoses are quite challenging for the best of us. Supervision is a process of grappling with provisional diagnoses until we come up with a correct one. Then we have an accurate map of how to proceed and stay the course.
My ongoing book club will study and explore Chapter 3 on Character Analysis with in-depth coverage of these principles. As is the style of our book club, we go two pages at a time in order to study the nuances of the material. The series begins 10/21/21 and will meet every 3 weeks for 10 sessions.
Please view the Book Club page on the website for more details: https://orgonomictherapy.com/whole-therapist-whole-patient/interactive-book-discussion/
You will be able to sign-up soon. Anyone can join, so if this topic interests you let us know!
How the Layman Analyzes Character
Returning to our topic of character analysis, often friends and family will describe someone they know in an abbreviated form which describes the qualities a person may exhibit. One might say. “He dominates the conversation and always has to be right”; or “She tends to move from relationship to relationship, tossing them out without a backward glance”; or “He is withdrawn usually, keeps to himself and is isolated”, or “He struggles with depression but is extremely intelligent and competent”. These are some examples of how people might be described initially.
These are actually diagnostic of the character type as seen by the layman. Character typology recognizes the inherent style known as character armor, which correlates with the biophysical traits as well. One is a map of the other. Does the individual lead with bravado to cover his insecurity; is he always busy to avoid connection, or perpetually frightened, often making up threats through his active fantasy life? Is her body flaccid, stiff and rigid, attractive with angular features that are imposing, or an obvious body type that reflects seductiveness?
What the Pandemic has Revealed About Character
With the pandemic and everyone stretched thin, the best and the worst are revealed. Character patterns are accentuated under stress; we are not able to cope as well. The isolation, lack of family contact, pain derived from a perpetual lack of normalcy – all have led to withdrawal, substance abuse, overeating, accelerated alcohol usage and other patterns that have caused difficulties within couples and families.
Also, good things have happened: family meals, cooking as a family event, art projects, and creativity for the kids who have been stuck at home.
Stress always breeds an accentuation of the character style and defensive aspects become heightened.
The pandemic has threatened many of us and brought out our worst habits, even as vaccines are rolling out quickly and providing a sense of hopefulness. There continue to be questions and a lack of clarity even within the science. Happiness is titrated with grief; spring is upon us yet we can’t expect to snap out of the doldrums too quickly. We need to accept ourselves and our feelings as they rise and fall.
With stress comes resistance. “I don’t want to look at myself; it is bad enough these days. I don’t want to be called out on my stuff.”
Exploring the Art of Character Analysis
I quote sections from my blog of March 26, 2018, entitled: The Art of Character Analysis as it articulates clearly the defenses and the resistance to self-examination.
“We stated that character analysis begins with the singling out and consistent analysis of the character resistance. This does not mean that the patient is enjoined not to be aggressive, not to be deceptive, not to speak in an incoherent manner, to follow the basic rule, etc. Such demands would not only be contrary to analytic procedure, they would be fruitless… In character analysis, we ask ourselves why is the patient deceptive, speaks in an incoherent manner, is emotionally blocked, etc.; we endeavor to arouse his interest in the peculiarities of his character in order to elucidate, with his help, their meaning and origin through analysis. In other words, we merely single out from the orbit of the personality the character trait from which the cardinal resistance proceeds, and, if possible, we show the patient the surface relation between the character and the symptoms….we isolate the character trait and put it before the patient again and again until he has succeeded in breaking clear of it and viewing it as he would a vexatious compulsive symptom, (Reich, Selected Writings, 1973, 56)
“Deceptiveness is an interesting character resistance for us to examine. It is a quality of illusiveness, secretiveness and can be laced with deceitfulness and misleading falseness. You might get the sense that this person is leading you astray, hiding something, or taking an action behind your back; maybe she has found a way to be delusive while pretending to be innocent. You may catch this type of person frequently lying or being sneaky.
“Are you someone who hides your true intentions, tries to get away with behaviors that you don’t want to be called out on; do you try to keep people off your scent? Are you surreptitious, avoid difficult issues until the last minute, do you tend to cover up or be covert in your actions, and lack accountability? Do you mask your plans? Have secret agendas? Are you reluctant to be straightforward and honest about your real feelings or intentions?”
And another quote:
“Character analysis deciphers a leading quality or trait that more or less defines the way the patient is: reserved, flighty or shallow, attacking, managerial, etc., and helps the patient to become aware of the defensive trait that is in the way of health and authenticity.”
Learning to self-observe means personal growth is occurring, therapy is working. The defensive style is disengaged and the real self has spaciousness to emerge. It is our wholeness that gives us freedom in our lives; it creates a natural self-confidence because we are not having to hide. I am who I am, even with my weakness, and can honor my strengths from within.