#4: Session 3 > MBT Emotions and why we have them

Welcome back.
In the previous session, we explored what happens when mentalizing breaks down.
Today, we focus on something at the core of that process: emotions.

Because emotions are not the problem —
they are signals.

📌 What this session is about

• Emotions are automatic, physical responses that happen in all humans.

• When you become aware of them and can name them, they turn into feelings.

• Within MBT, we work with seven basic emotions: curiosity, fear, anger, desire, love, sadness, and playfulness.

• Each emotion has a purpose: to protect you, guide you, or connect you with others.

🔎 Real-life examples

• Your heart starts racing — but you don’t know if it’s fear, stress, or excitement.

• You feel irritated, but underneath there may be sadness or disappointment.

• You experience physical tension without understanding the emotion behind it.

📚 Why it matters

Emotions are never “wrong.”
They give you important information about what you need.

Problems arise when:

• You don’t recognize your emotions

• You misinterpret them

• Or your feelings and physical reactions no longer match

This can lead to confusion, conflict, or feeling disconnected from yourself.

✨ How MBT works with this

In MBT, you learn to slow down and notice what you feel.
You practise:

• Recognizing emotions in your body

• Putting them into words

• Understanding what they are trying to tell you

The goal is not to control emotions, but to understand them.

💡 Practice from Session 3

Take time this week to reflect on your emotions.

• What did you feel?

• Were you able to name those feelings?

• Or did you mainly notice physical signals, like tension or restlessness?

Write it down and observe patterns without judgment.

🌟 Core message

Emotions are not obstacles —
they are guides.

The more you learn to recognize and understand them,
the more you reconnect with yourself
and with others.