ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a common belief among clients that their emotions are permanent and out of control. As a result of this belief some clients fear that they will never get rid of the emotion while other clients may equate their identity with their emotion—“I am an angry person.” Why are we prone to think that our intense emotion will be permanent? One view that is offered is that evolution has led to the belief that an emotion will be permanent unless it is immediately addressed. This is related to the view that by triggering a sense of urgency or fear of certain emotions, individuals will be motivated to take action to change or avoid the situation, or escape. Thus, emotion may often mislead us into beliefs about durability. In contrast, the therapist can assist the client in observing, tolerating and accepting an emotion as they observe that it rises and falls with time. In addition, the flexibility of emotional experience can be demonstrated by exploring a wide range of other emotions that are possible.
