A Peak into Working with an Emotion Focused Therapist
By: Kathleen Cogan, M.A., LPC
As an emotion focused therapist, I privilege a client’s experience: how it feels in the body, the sensations, as uncomfortable as they may be, above intellect. Together with clients I explore parts of themselves and life that doesn’t seem to make sense or causes distress.
This process works well for those wanting to improve their relationships with others and for those clients feelings stuck- whether in a relationship, a particular feeling or pattern in their life.
Maybe there has been an emotional injury, like an affair, between you and your partner. Or maybe there has been a rift with a family member or friend that you seem unable to to heal from and “move past.” I love working with folks in relationships to help repair these wounds and ultimately strengthen and deepen the bond.
These injuries could also include hurt from past relationships that are no longer intact. This could look like estranged from a parent or family member or a past romantic relationship you are struggling to “get over.”
I also enjoy working with folks in the midst of life transitions that are ready for a deeper approach to moving through and making sense of these experiences. From new parents, those beginning their fertility journey or experiencing infertility issues, to questioning and exploring a new job, career or vocation.
1. When it comes to acute feelings and emotions, I work best with anything that seems uncontrollable, from anger to sadness to confusion. Everything is welcomed. Maybe you are experiencing an unusual amount of anxiety or low feelings that you can’t seem to explain or understand. Together, we will work together to decrease these most distressing feelings and work towards feeling whole, complete, and most importantly, not alone.
Because of my healing orientation, this process is not for clients who want to solve a problem in the short term. But rather clients that are open to exploring their inner worlds and a process that privileges one’s innate sense of healing. For relationship work, this looks like resolving conflict through greater connection and understanding- which can often take time.