Stacey Kosmerly, Ph.D.: The Critical Role of Emotions in Psychotherapy & Life Itself

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Although emotions comprise among the most profound and meaningful of human experiences, they can likewise evoke intense discomfort, avoidance or even phobic reactions.  Effectively matching one's emotional reaction to  the demands of the environment is a central task of every individual - a task which is increasingly difficult in an emotionally avoidant society with an increasing number of "virtual" interactions and cues.  In our discussion today, OICBT clinician Stacey Kosmerly, Ph.D., sits down with host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych to discuss:

• the definition of emotion from a psychotherapeutic/neurobiological lens
• myths around "good vs. bad" emotions
• the  evolutionary purpose of a number of specific emotions (e.g., sadness, fear, jealousy etc.)
• how humans develop challenges around emotion dysregulation & emotional inhibition
• tips for parents/loved ones for understanding and managing the difficult emotional reactions of children, partners etc. 
• the central role of vulnerability in gaining confidence managing strong emotions
• shame as a particularly difficult emotion to address clinically/interpersonally
• managing emotional reactions to our emotional reactions 
• how clinicians can leverage their emotional reactions to improve their effectiveness as clinicians 
• the role social media may be playing in emotional difficulties

Stacey Kosmerly, Ph.D. is clinician at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  She has a PhD. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa and an Masters in Applied Psychology from Laurentian University.  Ms. Kosmerly is highly involved in the Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Program and the Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Programs at the OICBT. She uses primarily DBT and CBT approaches to therapy, integrating her past training in emotion focused therapy (EFT) and  acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) when appropriate. During her Master’s degree, Ms.Kosmerly worked closely with Dr. Adele Lafrance, one of the developers of Emotion Focused Family Therapy, and was involved in community outreach related to this. Since 2013, she has been involved in delivering workshops on Emotion Coaching, that is, skills for parents and caregivers to respond effectively to their children’s/loved one’s emotions, in community settings.