These visual diagrams are used as clinical tools during therapy sessions. Explanations and application are provided in-session, tailored to each client.

A Venn diagram illustrating the interconnected influences of nature, nurture, behavior, and environment on human development.
Diagram illustrating the cognitive triangle with three interconnected circles: red circle labeled 'Thoughts create feelings,' orange circle labeled 'Feelings create behavior,' and green circle labeled 'Behavior reinforces thoughts.'

We can adjust & prevent

We can change

We can soothe

We can change

Category Signs & Behaviors Examples Outcomes
Emotional Avoidance
  • Ignoring or suppressing emotions
  • Distracting yourself (e.g., overworking, scrolling, binge-watching)
  • Minimizing your feelings (“It’s not a big deal”)
  • Numbing (e.g., alcohol, overeating)
  • Avoiding situations that might trigger emotions
  • Feeling stressed but pushing it down by staying busy
  • Telling yourself, “I shouldn’t feel this way”
  • Avoiding conversations about something upsetting
  • Emotions build up and resurface in unhealthy ways (e.g., sudden outbursts, physical symptoms)
  • Increased anxiety, stress, or numbness
  • Difficulty forming deeper connections with others
Emotional Expression
  • Venting or sharing emotions openly
  • Crying, yelling, or laughing to release feelings
  • Seeking support from others
  • Writing about emotions in a journal
  • Expressing emotions physically (e.g., art, movement)
  • Talking to a friend about feeling overwhelmed
  • Crying after a tough day
  • Writing in a journal, “I feel so frustrated today”
  • Temporary relief but may not lead to deeper understanding
  • Can strengthen relationships if done constructively
  • If unregulated, can lead to impulsive reactions
Emotional Processing
  • Noticing and naming your emotions
  • Separating thoughts from feelings
  • Accepting the emotion without judgment
  • Exploring what triggered the emotion
  • Choosing how to respond in a way that aligns with your values
  • Noticing “I feel anxious” and sitting with it instead of pushing it away
  • Realizing frustration came from feeling unheard and choosing to express it calmly
  • Identifying an old pattern of fear and deciding to challenge it
  • Greater emotional resilience and self-awareness
  • Healthier coping mechanisms and decision-making
  • Reduced emotional reactivity and increased inner peace
The image explains the cycle of emotional regulation with four steps: Notice & Name the Emotion, Accept the Emotion, Be Curious About the Emotion, Allow & Release the Emotion. Each step has instructions for managing emotions, including recognizing, accepting, questioning, and letting go of feelings. The cycle emphasizes mindfulness and understanding of emotions.
A slide titled 'Definitions' comparing 'Ego syntonic' and 'Ego dystonic.' 'Ego syntonic' behaviors align with personal values, are in harmony, and show no guilt. 'Ego dystonic' behaviors go against beliefs, seem intrusive, and indicate a desire to change. The slide includes a neon sign that says 'Come On In!' and a photo of two seals on the beach, one facing forward and the other looking at it.
Chart titled 'Unhelpful Thinking Styles' with various types of unhelpful thoughts, including 'All or nothing thinking,' 'Over-generalising,' 'Mental filter,' 'Disqualifying the positive,' 'Jumping to conclusions,' 'Magnification,' 'Emotional reasoning,' 'Labelling,' 'Should,' and 'Personalisation,' each with icons and brief descriptions.
A worksheet titled 'Challenging Beliefs Worksheet' with sections for examining and challenging thoughts, questioning patterns of problematic thinking, and rating beliefs and feelings from 0 to 100%.
Colorful diagram illustrating emotions and their associated feelings, arranged in a flower-shaped chart with petals labeled with different emotions and inner sections showing related feelings.
A chart showing four colors representing different emotions: yellow for happiness, green for fear, blue for sadness, and red for anger.
A decorative poster with a blue wave design and motivational text about managing emotions, including tips like experiencing emotions as waves and not trying to block or suppress them.
Flowchart illustrating obsessive/compulsive thinking cycles with triggers, obsessions, compulsions, and responses over time, showing how compulsions increase baseline anxiety levels.

1) Saw, heard, smelled

2) Thoughts: What I was saying to myself

3) Emotions: Sad, Fearful, Angry

It all started when….this was happening…(continue to describe what you experienced, including 1,2,3)……

Illustration titled 'Types of Basic Emotions' showing cartoon representations of four emotions: happiness depicted as a red figure with arms outstretched, sadness as a blue figure with head bowed, fear as a yellow figure with arms crossed and squiggly lines around head, and anger as a purple figure with fists clenched and steam coming from head.
A section of a survey asking about the vividness of a written exposure, with a scale from 1 to 10.

Definition of antagonism within the DSM-5.

Antagonism (versus agreeableness): Behaviors that put the individual at odds with other people,

  1. Including an exaggerated sense of self and concomitant (naturally accompanying),

  2. Expectation of special treatment as well as a callous antipathy towards others,

    1. Unawareness of others’ needs and feelings

    2. And a readiness to use others in the service of self-enhancement.

The body language of someone with an exaggerated sense of self, expecting special treatment, showing callousness towards others, and using others for self-enhancement may exhibit the following non-verbal cues:

1. Exaggerated Sense of Self

  • Posture: Upright, rigid posture, often standing or sitting in a dominant position. They may position themselves in the center of a room or conversation, taking up more space than necessary.

  • Chin Tilted Up: This can suggest arrogance or superiority, with their chin slightly raised, making them appear to "look down" on others.

  • Grand Gestures: Large, sweeping hand movements to draw attention to themselves, often trying to dominate the space visually.

2. Expectation of Special Treatment

  • Impatient Movements: Tapping feet, checking their watch or phone, and sighing heavily when they feel they are not being prioritized. This behavior implies they believe they deserve immediate attention.

  • Ignoring Others: They may turn their body away from those they deem unimportant or not useful to them, signaling disinterest or disregard.

  • Eye-Rolling: Dismissive or disrespectful gestures, like rolling their eyes when they are not getting the attention they believe they deserve, can be common.

3. Callous Antipathy Towards Others

  • Cold or Blank Facial Expressions: They might maintain a neutral or disinterested face, showing little warmth or empathy toward others' emotions or concerns. No effort to mirror others' feelings.

  • Invading Personal Space: Stepping too close to others, not respecting personal boundaries, signaling dominance or disregard for others' comfort.

  • Interrupting Conversations: Cutting others off mid-sentence, often redirecting the conversation back to themselves, showing little care for others' input or needs.

4. Unawareness of Others’ Needs and Feelings

  • Lack of Eye Contact (with those considered 'beneath' them): They may avoid making direct eye contact with people they deem insignificant, showing little interest in engaging or connecting with others.

  • Self-Centered Gestures: Constantly adjusting their own appearance (fixing hair, straightening clothes) while others are speaking, signaling disinterest in what others have to say.

  • Talking Over Others: Raising their voice or dominating conversations without noticing or caring if others are uncomfortable or disengaged.

5. Readiness to Use Others for Self-Enhancement

  • Mirroring Behavior Selectively: They may mirror the body language of those they want to impress or extract something from, creating a false sense of connection to manipulate.

  • Feigning Interest (but only superficially): They may lean forward or make strong eye contact with people they are trying to impress or gain something from, but the interest is short-lived once their goal is achieved.

  • Dismissive Gestures: Turning away, crossing arms, or showing disinterest the moment they no longer find someone useful.

In essence, the body language reflects entitlement, dominance, and a lack of empathy. This person may seem commanding and confident, but their gestures reveal a lack of true connection with others, highlighting their self-serving motivations.