Introduction to Emotions
Online course:
Emotions, Defenses & The Change Triangle Tool
Overview
This course is designed to enable you to understand your basic core emotions and defenses. In addition you will learn to work the Change Triangle Tool in order to attune to your body, discover your core emotions, and learn to work with them constructively. Processing our emotions in this way will enable you to move into your Open-hearted State of Authentic Self. From here, you will be able to experience more moments of a deeper fuller calm connection to your life and others.
The structure of this course includes some teaching and experiential exercises, short gentle guided meditations, and some question & answer sessions in order to process our learning and experiences. The nature of the classes are gentle and low-pressure and participation in the conversations is very welcome but voluntary.
The course takes place over 8 weeks one evening a week for 90 minutes and is delivered online via Zoom.
Course structure
Week 1
Introduction to the Class and the Change Triangle®
In the first class we’ll get an introduction to what emotions actually are, what their natural healthy purpose is and begin to practice how to identify and work with them.
Week 2
Cost and Benefits of Defenses - What are defenses?
In week two we’ll learn what defenses are and their function. We’ll begin to identify and develop awareness of our own personal defense strategies, consider their costs and benefits, and finally learn how to work with them.
Week 3
Anxiety - Using anxiety as a signal to validate core emotions, conflicts, and needs
In this class we’ll learn to differentiate our other emotions from anxiety. We’ll understand what causes anxiety, identify it, and learn what’s underneath it. We’ll also learn how to give attention safely to anxiety and how to soothe it.
Week 4
Shame and Guilt - Differentiating between shame and guilt; soothing shame
In week four we’ll learn the roots of shame and the difference to guilt. We’ll explore the difference between healthy and toxic forms of guilt & shame. We’ll also practice soothing shame and working constructively with guilt.
Week 5
Core Emotions & Being with Sadness
In this week we’ll explore and better understand the valuable core emotion of sadness. We’ll consider it in relation to positive emotions and what needs it might be expressing. We’ll practice gently and compassionately exploring it physically.
Week 6
Core Anger - Anger has a purpose
In week six we’ll understand the value of anger and what benefits come from processing it in a healthy way. We’ll learn how to identify it and how it shows itself in the body. And finally how to work with it in a meaningful and constructive way.
Week 7
Expansive Emotions - Joy, pride, gratitude, excitement
Here we’ll explore positive emotions and better understand their natural healthy purpose and the difference between false types like arrogance and conceit. We’ll also practice staying with and connecting to positive emotions in the body.
Week 8
Openhearted State & Working the Triangle
In the final week we’ll practice locating our deep authentic Self and practice experiencing the openhearted state. We’ll consider the value of this connection and away of being.
Course details:
Start date: TBA
8 weekly classes delivered online via Zoom
Cost: €400
About your teacher
My name is Joel Whitman. I’m a professional Life Coach & Mindfulness Teacher. My background is in Philosophy and my research was concerned with the contemporary & practical pursuit of wisdom. I’m passionate about its intersection with contemporary psychology & personal development. My approach is to support people in connecting to their genuine meaning & purpose and to discover & design a life that is aligned with what’s truly important to them.
If you have any questions please get in touch at info@joelwhitman.com or fill in the form below