The corrective emotional experience re-considered

[@leoy8820]

Thank you, I had a very submissive patient last week, after I repeatedly reminded her that this was her therapy and I am working for her, if she come along with me, nothing can be changed, she finally felt angry with me, and she felt much better afterwards.

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

Was there an opening of the unconscious with a transfer to an attachment figure from the past. Remember, the point is not to make patient's angry , but to access the suppressed feelings in order to trigger an unlocking of the unconscious.

[@annasokolova6923]

Thank you, it is helpful!

[@Bo-ce3dx]

I also wanted to ask if you would be willing to make a video about going to Portrait and viscerally experiencing emotions. Maybe with some emphasis on the other five core emotions besides anger. Maybe examples with Davanloo's Three core components (identification, physiological, and motoric) with those emotions. Maybe others are interested in these topic as well? Thank you for taking this and under consideration.

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

Sure

[@jenniferbeach1484]

Excellent

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

Thanks

[@logiebearsb]

Thanks very interesting

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Bo-ce3dx]

Dr. Coughlin / Patricia, thank you again so much for doing these videos. They really offer insight into the concepts of istdp. In this video it sounds like you might be referring to the impulse ridden woman case discussed in your 2017 book? It seemed like in that case as well as the case of the man who was addicted pornography, that there was less emphasis on going to Portrait and experiencing emotions viscerally. It seemed more of the UTA was activated and the corrective emotional experience was based on blocking defenses and helping the patients take ownership over there own independence. This approach you took appeared to help them activate their true self through their own wants and desires rather than meeting the needs of others. Was I following that correctly? Thank you.

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

There were massive breakthroughs with the impulse ridden woman. There is always an emphasis on experiencing true feelings, but not always going for impulse. In the case of the man addicted to porn, when he got up the courage to tell me he was angry and I accepted that, it created a profound corrective emotional experience. He had expected me to get angry in return - and to retaliate, so when I totally accepted his feelings, it provided a healing experience. Ultimately it is response to intervention that guides us, not a preconceived notion of what needs to happen.

[@Bo-ce3dx]

@@patriciacoughlinphd1852 thank you for the feedback and sharing your wisdom. Really helped clarify the ambiguity I was experiencing in those cases with particular regard to technique and the corrective emotional experience so I can consolidate and integrate.

[@patriciacoughlinphd1852]

No, the first patient I mentioned was from way back. She was not featured in any of my books. If you recall the man addicted to porn denied any mixed feelings in the first session. Since he was incredibly compliant, I was not going to press the point. In the second session, however, he very directly revealed that he was angry with my pressure at the end of our initial contact. The fact that he could tell me directly, without excessive anxiety or the use of defenses, was evidence of significant change. That I listened and was interested in his experience, rather than getting defensive or retaliating (what he had expected) promoted deep feelings of appreciation. "Wow. I never expected that", he said. "You mean you and I are going to form a bond in order to understand me?" Talk about a corrective emotional experience! For me, connecting with one's authentic or true self and being able to create intimate and secure bonds are overarching goals. Thanks for your input!