It’s Not Me, It’s You

                Projection is a term used in psychology to define the process of taking one’s own feelings and placing them onto someone or something else. Why would one do such a thing? Quite often, we human beings have feelings, urges, or impulses that we are uncomfortable with or that we deem unacceptable. This unconscious discomfort and self-denial may cause us to project these feelings, urges, and impulses onto someone or something else to avoid facing them.

                When we project our discomfort and self-denial onto someone or something else, it allows us to observe and experience these unwanted traits without having to realize them within ourselves. In doing so, we protect our egos, and we can better address the uncomfortable emotions that accompany these traits without having to take responsibility for them.

                The most fascinating thing about this process is that the target of the projection may unconsciously consent to the projection and begin to act out the projection! What does projection really look like? Perhaps a parent was unable to attend college because they could not perform well academically. This parent tells their child that the child is not smart enough to attend college and should not waste their money. If the child consents to the projection, the child will begin to believe they are not smart enough to attend college and will not pursue a higher education.

                In counseling, projection can be a very valuable construct. If counselors believe that a client is projecting, it is an opportunity to uncover and navigate unconscious discomfort and self-denial. A client may also be the target of a projection, in which case it is beneficial and healing to explore where the projection is coming from and how the client can separate themselves from the projection.

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Hillary R., -Masters Level Intern, 2023

Sources –

Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Projection. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/projection