Ego-state therapy

Ego-state therapy is a psychodynamic approach to treat various behavioural and cognitive problems within a person. It uses techniques that are common in group and family therapy, but with an individual patient, to resolve conflicts that manifest in a "family of self" within a single individual. Distinct ego states -- in the most rigorous sense -- do not normally develop except in cases of multiple personality disorder. However, ego state therapy identifies and names facets of a patient's personality, e.g., the "frightened child" or "control freak." After the characteristics and function of each ego state are identified, the therapist uses various psychotherapeutic techniques to achieve a kind of internal diplomacy. Ego state therapy may use hypnosis, but is not necessarily required to do so. Ego state therapy has sometimes been able to resolve complex psychodynamic problems relatively quickly. The concept of segmentation of personality has been around for many years. The creation of ego-state therapy is attributed to John G. Watkins.