I have noticed that there are several attitudes to emotions in counselling and therapy.

"Emotions are a problem" is the attitude of rational approaches. Emotions are an impediment to the resolution and need to be avoided.

"Emotions are the solution" is the attitude of the cathartic approaches. Problems are caused by unexpressed emotions, so the solution is to "let them out" ... scream therapy, rebirthing.

"Emotions are signs of problems to be explored" is the most common approach. We are having a session, and notice the client begins to cry, become frightened or angry so we stop and explore. Like a metal detector, this is a place to dig and find the burried problem.

Each has its place, but there is another approach which can complement and increase out options here. If we approach emotions as predispositions for action, as Maturana claims, we can explore what actions we are getting ready to take in any emotion, and so have access to it, whatever it is.

In fear, we might be predisposed to fight, flee or freeze, and so any time we want to feel fear, we can have an opportunity to create it. In security, we might be predisposed to remain, to trust, to be curious, and so any time we want to feel secure, we can have this opportunity to create it.

By approaching emotions from this perspective, we can explore the experience of learning to have a preferred emotion instead of being a passive vitim of an unwanted emotion.

I have written in detail about this in my second book "Doing Change" but my invitation is to explore this yourself, and possibly with your clients.

It can be an amazing, enlightening and enlivening experience.

Rob