Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast Disavowed Anger and Positive Emotions with Paul Wachtel
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Jan 5, 2026 
In this insightful discussion, Paul Wachtel, a clinical psychologist and influential scholar, dives into the complex world of disavowed anger and positive emotions in psychotherapy. He distinguishes between disavowed feelings and simple repression, revealing how childhood experiences shape our emotional landscapes. Wachtel explores how suppressed anger can lead to explosive outbursts and psychosomatic issues, while emphasizing the importance of integrating these emotions for a healthier self. He encourages therapists to acknowledge both anger and positive needs, highlighting the impact on relationships.
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Disavowed Versus Repressed Emotions
- Disavowed feelings are those we learn are 'not permissible' and are pushed aside rather than fully repressed.
- Therapy aims to recover and reintegrate these parts to expand a fuller sense of self.
The Vicious Cycle Of Pushed-Away Anger
- Pushing anger away often creates a vicious cycle: excessive niceness leads to being taken advantage of and more buried anger.
- That buried anger can later erupt as ineffective explosive outbursts and shame.
Prioritize Experiential Corrective Work
- Use experiential, not only verbal, interventions to change patterns rooted in preverbal learning.
- Create corrective emotional experiences by engaging feelings in the here-and-now.