This article discusses the interrelated processes of confusion and introjection, which take place in the Child and Parent ego states respectively. Drawing on British object relations theory, the author explores the development of the Parent and Child ego states based on the original model of structural ego states (Berne, 1961). Viewing both as pathological structures, she examines the kind of experiences that act as catalysts for their development and the defenses that are adopted as part of this process. A model for deconfusion and a relational methodology for work with these defenses is suggested.
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