Allowing and accepting emotion is important in working with emotion and the first step in changing it. This involves observing it, welcoming it, acknowledging it is there and accepting it. Then it is important to step back from it and experience it like a wave, allowing it wash over and move on. In this process it is helpful to focus on some part of the experience like how the body is feeling, or an image that represents the feeling. It is important to feel the emotion ‘coursing’ through the body and then symbolise it in words. A safe distance can be created from an overwhelming emotion by taking an observer’s stance and then it is easier to describe, for example, fear as being a black ball located in the stomach. Accepting an emotion helps people become aware of and express emotions as well as connecting to their needs and becoming motivated to meeting those needs.
Therapeutic tools: Accepting is the first step in change
