Recover from major emotional life events
Doctor Sarah Niblock, CEO of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, and psychotherapist Alivia Rose discuss how to navigate overwhelming feelings in the wake of unexpected and life-changing occurrences
THE CYCLE OF emotions that we experience when a momentous life event takes place can leave us feeling out of control. If we’ve lost a loved one, a job or experienced isolation as a result of the pandemic, a chain of emotions can take hold. In the accompanying podcast with UKCP psychotherapist Alivia Rose, I seek to uncover what this emotional cycle looks like, and how therapy can offer a safe space in which to explore our emotional state.
Therapist Alivia Rose explores the psychological effects of unanticipated crises that throw us into turmoil
Sometimes, things happen that turn our world upside down. A bereavement, job loss and the pandemic are all significant and unexpected events that trigger waves of emotions that can feel crushing. So, how can we find ways to cope?
It’s important to remember that waves come and go. However, it’s useful to have a road map of what to expect – although everyone’s map will be unique. Generally speaking, we may experience anxiety and fear, and when we are scared or worried, our mind can take us to the worst-case scenario.
We might feel anguish, upset and grief, asking the question: ‘Can I bear this pain?’ We may feel anger and frustration, or denial – cutting ourselves off from what’s happening. We might feel depressed, rendering us numb to give us a break from the pain. Then, we can feel acceptance, when we are no longer ruled by our strong feelings, and we begin to accept what has happened and find new strength.
Path to healing
It may seem daunting to look at the road map, but the more we understand that these emotions come and go in their own sequence, the quicker the wave will pass over us.
If we feel extremely fearful or isolated, friends and family can bring a sense of support and space that is necessary to process what we are going through. However, there are times when those we love try to distract us or relieve
our emotional waves, which can make us feel disconnected.
If you are in need of support after a bereavement, job loss or any other significant event, psychotherapy can help. Psychotherapists are trained to support you at your most difficult time and offer understanding and assistance in finding ways to help you contain and understand your strong emotions. Emotions need to be expressed and acknowledged so they can pass. The psychotherapeutic space offers calm in the eye of an emotional storm.