Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They influence our thoughts, behaviours, and interactions with others. However, understanding and naming our emotions can be challenging.

Therapy can play a crucial role in helping you identify and name the big 8 emotions: joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, shame, and guilt. In this blog post, I will explore what often sits behind our emotions, how therapy can help us understand what might be triggering them and how you can manage and express thrm in healthy ways.

1. Joy is a positive emotion associated with happiness, excitement, and contentment. In therapy, we can explore the sources of joy in our lives, identify what brings us joy, and learn how to cultivate it in our daily life.

2. Sadness is a natural emotion that can arise from a wide range of life experiences such as loss, disappointment, or grief. Therapy provides a safe space for you to express and process feelings of sadness, and gain insights into the underlying causes - some of which may have been present for some time - and find healthy ways to cope with it.

3. Anger is a complex emotion that can manifest in different ways, from frustration to rage. Therapy can help you understand the triggers and underlying emotions beneath our anger - for example fear or unmet expectations - and develop healthy strategies for managing and expressing it.

4. Fear is a primal emotion that can arise in response to perceived threats or dangers. Therapy can help you explore the root causes of your fears, challenge and reframe irrational fears, and develop coping skills to manage fear in a healthy manner so it is no longer a barrier to you enjoying experiences or taking risks.

5. Surprise is an emotion that can arise from unexpected events or news. In therapy, we can explore how surprises impact you emotionally, and learn how to process and respond to surprising situations in a constructive way.

6. Disgust is a strong emotion that can be triggered by things that we find unpleasant or repulsive. In therapy, we can explore the origins and triggers of any feelings of disgust, and learn how to manage and cope with it in a healthy manner.

7. Shame is a deeply painful emotion that can stem from feelings of unworthiness or failure. Therapy can help you to understand the roots of any feelings of shame, challenge negative self-beliefs, and develop self-compassion and self-acceptance. Brene Brown offers some interesting insights into shame and vulnerability in one of the most watched Ted talks ever. Watch it below.

8. Guilt is a moral emotion that arises from feeling responsible for causing harm or wrongdoing. In therapy, we can explore the underlying reasons and triggers of guilt, learn how to differentiate healthy guilt from irrational guilt, and develop strategies to cope with guilt in a constructive way.

As an experience, the therapeutic relationship provides a supportive and non-judgmental space for you to explore and understand your emotions and your reactions to them. It allows you to develop emotional awareness, identify and name your feelings, and gain insights into the underlying causes and ways to cope with them. By understanding and naming the eight big emotions, you can enhance your emotional self-awareness and develop healthier ways of managing and expressing your feelings.

If you are struggling with understanding and managing your emotions, consider seeking the support of a qualified therapist to help you on your emotional journey.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash