Final answer:
In Emotion-Focused Therapy, emotions are categorized as Primary Adaptive, Primary Maladaptive, and Secondary Reactive, each with unique functions that aid in individual responses and survival, or arise from personal experiences and emotional reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), emotions can be categorized into three types, each serving a unique function. These types are:
- Primary Adaptive Emotions: These are the immediate responses to a situation that have evolved to help us meet our needs and survive. For example, fear triggers a fight or flight response, anger helps us confront challenges, and sadness encourages us to seek support.
- Primary Maladaptive Emotions: These are also immediate emotional responses, but they are not helpful and could be based on past experiences rather than the current situation. An example would be an irrational fear or anxiety that doesn't match the level of threat in the environment.
- Secondary Reactive Emotions: These are emotional reactions to one's primary emotions. For instance, feeling ashamed of one's anxiety or anger. These emotions often develop due to cultural or familial expectations and can mask primary emotions.
Emotion-Focused Therapy uses these classifications to help individuals identify, experience, express, and regulate their emotions more effectively, particularly when the emotions become confusing or overwhelming. By working through these emotions, people can move towards greater well-being.