Reading Between the Lines: Unpacking Patient Defense Mechanisms in Serious Illness Care

July 9, 2026

Home Care Home Health Hospice Palliative Care Social Workers Chaplains & Spiritual Caregivers

Live Webinar

DateJul 9, 2026Duration90 minutes

12:00 PM PDT01:00 PM MDT

02:00 PM CDT03:00 PM EDT

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Available on desktop, mobile & tablet
Take-away toolkit
Presenter’s contact info for questions

On-Demand Webinar

Unlimited & shareable access starting
two business days after live stream
Available on desktop, mobile & tablet devices 24/7
Take-away toolkit
Ability to download webinar video
Presenter's contact info for questions

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When patients resist, deflect, or shut down, they are not being difficult.

They are protecting themselves. Learn how to recognize the hidden language of defense mechanisms and respond in ways that build trust, reduce distress, and improve care. Strengthen your clinical insight and transform challenging interactions into meaningful connection by learning to read what is not being said.

KEY WEBINAR TAKEAWAYS

The functional purpose of defense mechanisms people may use when dealing with the stress of illness.
Interpreting behavior as a reflection of best coping styles and identifying when a patient’s defenses may be interfering with care
Our own biases in interpreting coping and defense styles
Strategies for respecting defenses while supporting various coping styles

BONUS MATERIALS

Examples of defense mechanisms and how these may present in practice
Suggestions of strategies to help patients cope with distress that work in tandem with their natural defenses – including suggestion talking points

WEBINAR DETAILS

Defense mechanisms are used by all of us to help mitigate the threat of distress, anxiety, fear, and unease. Having a basic understanding of how these defenses function and benefit our patients (and ourselves) expands our clinical ability to best support people through challenging times.

THIS WEBINAR WILL BENEFIT THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES:

Hospice
Home Care
Home Health
Palliative Care

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Clinicians including RNs, MDs, and CNAs in any setting
Administrators

TAKE-AWAY TOOLKIT

Employee training log
Interactive quiz
PDF of slides and speaker’s contact info for follow-up questions
Attendance certificate provided to self-report CE credits

NOTE: All materials are subject to copyright. Transmission, retransmission, or republishing of any webinar to other institutions or those not employed by your institution is prohibited. Print materials may be copied for eligible participants only.