Understanding Emotions

This section explores the fascinating world of human emotion. Together we'll examine why emotions exist, what purpose they serve, how they are shaped by our biology, experiences, relationships and culture, and why some emotions can feel so much bigger than others. We'll explore common emotional experiences such as anxiety, anger, sadness, shame, guilt, joy and love, while also unpacking concepts like emotional regulation, resilience, how emotions are experienced in the body and self-awareness.

The goal is not to eliminate difficult emotions or replace them with constant happiness. Rather, it is to develop a deeper understanding of the messages emotions may be trying to communicate, and to learn how to respond to them with greater curiosity, compassion and skill. If you’re a client of mine you’ve probably heard me prattle on about how I think we are largely ‘feeling phobic’. But the better we understand our emotional world, the better equipped we become to navigate life, relationships and ourselves.