What defense mechanism is a client using when discussing recent behaviors related to job loss in anger management?

The defense mechanism in question is rationalization, and it involves offering logical or reasonable explanations for feelings, thoughts, or behaviors that may be perceived as unacceptable or distressing. In the context of a client discussing recent behaviors related to job loss in anger management, rationalization can manifest as the client justifying their reactions or emotions following the job loss, perhaps by attributing the situation to external factors or asserting that their anger is a valid response due to the circumstances.

This mechanism allows the individual to maintain a sense of self-esteem and avoid deeper feelings of guilt or anxiety that may arise from acknowledging the full emotional impact of their situation. By rationalizing their behaviors or reactions, the client can distance themselves from the discomfort of facing their true feelings about the job loss and any associated anger, thus demonstrating a lack of acceptance of the emotional realities they are experiencing.