An emotion-focused approach to the overregulation of emotion and emotional pain

J Clin Psychol. 2001 Feb;57(2):197-211. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(200102)57:2<197::aid-jclp6>3.0.co;2-o.

Abstract

The importance of facilitating productive therapeutic processes to gain access to overregulated primary adaptive emotional experience is discussed. In addition to describing common two- and three-step emotion sequences involved in change, this article presents the more complex sequences involved in facing emotional pain. Key aspects of facing pain are allowing the experience of "brokenness," or a "shattering" of the self, feeling the associated painful emotions, and processing them to completion. This promotes a transformation in view of self, world, and other. A case example and some general principles of emotional change are given.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Affective Symptoms / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Defense Mechanisms*
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Psychotherapeutic Processes