Emotion

Question 1

What is catharsis?

Answer 1

Release of tension/anxiety from bringing ideas/feelings/memories to consciousness (repressed=psychoanalytic). Different from normal emotional expression, has clinical purpose.

Question 2

Is catharsis important in therapy?

Answer 2

Some can’t take next step in therapy without expressing what they feel. Shouldn’t be a goal of therapy- better as homework. Not every has cause or emotional component.

Question 3

What are the two primary emotions behind catharsis and how do you help to express them?

Answer 3

Anger and Sadness. Activity designed to express both-> then let go /cognitions need to be dealt with. Need to assess if person can cope with process/response- be aware of your role.

Question 4

What are two low impact methods of catharsis?

Answer 4

Writing and disappearing technique.

Question 5

How is the writing technique practiced?

Answer 5

Get client to write about event, person, emotion e.g. write letter to someone. Don’t think about what is written- destroy after e.g. burn it- if not they will hold onto it and revisit emotion.

Question 6

What’s involved in the disappearing technique?

Answer 6

Mindfulness exercise- taking conscious awareness to experience.
1. Scan body for sensation 2. how big 3. What texture 4. weight? 5. what colour 6. Intensity. repeat process and intensity will drop, make sure person keeps breathing

Question 7

How do you express anger and what is depression?

Answer 7

Give object (punching bag/pillow) get person to make sound, breathe. Important person isn't object of anger.
Depression- Anger turned on self- anger work can alleviate sx but ongoing depression different

Question 8

How do you express sadness?

Answer 8

emotional release= crying- make environment safe to cry. Tissues kill tears- let them get them when needed (put next to chair etc)