Emotions Assessment

Let’s talk about emotions.

How often do we check in with our emotions?

One of my favorite things to do with clients is what I like to call an “Emotions Assessment”. Essentially, we want to learn - where & how you wee exposed to, and learned about, your emotions. This can support us in identifying any maladaptive patterns of thought that may be keeping you from a much more enriching relationship with your emotions.

Ask yourself:

• How was I first exposed to joy, sadness, anger, etc.?

• What messages did that exposure give me?

• When I experienced emotions growing up, what were the outcomes?

• Were my emotions validated or were they punished/ignored/

  
  suppressed?

• Were my expressions of emotions suppressed? Did my observations of emotion expression teach me that emotions are dangerous?

• .

It’s important to acknowledge any distorted messages about emotions & emotion expression. If we’ve been taught that expressing our emotions is dangerous OR that we are “supposed” to keep our emotions inside - we’ve most likely developed incredibly unhealthy relationships with our emotions. We may not realize that this suppression is leading to distressing emotions, lack of emotions, or unhealthy outbursts that are not reflective of our value system.

By acknowledging any distorted and/or unhealthy messages about emotions and emotion expression, we can develop a better relationship with an incredibly normal and healthy part of life - emotions. If this is something that you need help with - therapy may be a good start. Therapy can support you in connecting your present to past patterns and history. Therapy can also support you in learning how to establish a more adaptive relationship with your emotions and ways to express them.