Quote:
Originally Posted by smileygal
Expressing feelings aren't the same as having a tantrum IMO. Feelings are just feelings. Exploring them can helpful information and can be done in respectful and even healthy ways. Some people don't want to explore them which is fine. But if certain feelings keep arising around certain situations and interactions and it is impacting our life in a negative way or in a way that is not what we want it is often a sign that something needs to be looked at more closely.
How we express them at times i.e lashing out in anger, saying something mean or hurtful because we are hurt or throwing a tantrum is not helpful but sharing them and what is coming up can be
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Thanks, SmileyGal. I'd agree with you. It also occurred to me that it's not just about expressing those feelings for me, but getting more in touch with them. I tend to struggle to truly feel anger toward others and am more likely to turn it inward. Or if I do feel anger towards someone else (or a situation, like the pandemic), it's difficult for me to accept and process that.
So part of this is wanting to be able to explore those feelings in therapy, to learn how to recognize and accept that I'm angry at someone or something else (even if I don't express it to them). And it feels like an obvious way to do that in therapy is to talk about negative emotions I'm feeling toward Dr. T. And maybe for him to let me know it is OK and "safe" to express them (even if he may respond negatively).
Hope that makes sense. I'm trying to figure out how to explain it all to him.