It's Not Always Depression with Hilary Jacobs Hendel
Feb 4, 2024
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Psychotherapist Hilary Jacobs Hendel discusses the Change Triangle, recognizing and processing emotions, and the impact of childhood experiences on emotional development. She emphasizes the need to validate and experience core emotions, debunking the idea that they are negative. The conversation highlights the transformative power of understanding and embracing emotions and the importance of creating a safe space for them.
The Change Triangle is a tool for understanding and navigating emotions, emphasizing the importance of validating emotions and the impact of childhood experiences on emotional responses.
Trauma and inhibitory emotions can affect neural networks in the brain, leading to the reprogramming of our responses to triggers.
Recognizing and validating core emotions can help break free from defense mechanisms, fostering greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
Deep dives
The Change Triangle and the Importance of Validating Emotions
The podcast episode explores the concept of the Change Triangle, which is a tool for understanding and navigating emotions. It emphasizes the importance of validating emotions and the impact of childhood experiences on our emotional responses. It discusses how trauma and inhibitory emotions can affect neural networks in the brain, leading to the reprogramming of our responses to triggers. The podcast highlights the role of neuroscience and neuroplasticity in understanding and healing from trauma. It also emphasizes the need for emotions education and the practice of self-awareness and self-compassion in cultivating emotional well-being.
Processing Emotions Through Therapy
The episode features stories of individuals who have benefited from therapy in processing their emotions and trauma. One story focuses on Sarah, whose experiences of verbal abuse led to perfectionism and other defense mechanisms. Therapy helped Sarah confront and address these patterns, leading to healing and growth. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of understanding anger and providing healthy outlets for its expression, whether through therapy or personal reflection. The role of the therapist is highlighted as someone who collaborates with the client, supports emotional expression, and guides the process of healing and self-discovery.
Neuroscience, Neuroplasticity, and Trauma
The episode delves into the role of neuroscience and neuroplasticity in understanding trauma and its effects on neural networks in the brain. It discusses how traumatic experiences can wire neural pathways that influence our emotional responses and behaviors. The podcast emphasizes the potential for reprogramming the brain through therapy and self-awareness, allowing for healing and the development of new, healthier patterns. The concept of neural plasticity is introduced as the brain's capacity to change and adapt, which presents opportunities for growth and transformation in response to trauma.
Understanding Inhibitory Emotions and Breaking Free from Defense Mechanisms
The podcast episode explores inhibitory emotions, such as shame and guilt, and their role in defense mechanisms. It discusses how these emotions can impact our authentic self-expression and hinder emotional well-being. The importance of recognizing and validating core emotions is emphasized, as it can help break free from defense mechanisms. By acknowledging and processing these emotions, individuals can cultivate greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and healthier responses to triggers and challenges. The episode highlights the therapeutic approach of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) in working with emotions and promoting healing.
Cultivating Emotional Well-being and Enjoying Recreational Activities
Apart from therapy and emotional healing, the podcast episode highlights the importance of enjoying recreational activities and cultivating relationships with loved ones. It emphasizes the value of spending time with family and friends, listening to music, watching enjoyable TV shows, and appreciating nature. The episode recognizes the significance of self-care and finding joy in simple pleasures as part of overall emotional well-being and growth.
In this podcast episode, Hilary, a psychotherapist, discusses the Change Triangle and the importance of understanding and processing emotions. The Change Triangle is a tool that helps individuals recognize and navigate their emotions, moving from inhibitory emotions (such as anxiety, shame, and guilt) to core emotions (such as anger, sadness, fear, joy, excitement, and sexual excitement). Hilary emphasizes the need to validate and experience core emotions, as suppressing them can lead to symptoms like anxiety and depression. She shares personal experiences of how she learned to recognize and work with her own emotions, highlighting the transformative power of understanding and embracing emotions. The episode also touches on the impact of childhood experiences on emotional development and the role of defenses in avoiding emotional pain. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for emotions and the lifelong practice of emotional awareness and self-compassion.
