Identifying Emotions (part 2)

The following ideas are intended to be used following the ideas presented in this post.

Once they can identify the emotions based on facial expressions and body posture it is time to begin perspective taking.  Ask the patient, "What is something that would make you feel that way?", "What else would make you feel that way?"  "Tell me about a time that you felt this way."  Have the patient answer these questions for a variety of emotions ex: sad, mad, happy, confused, bored, surprised, annoyed, etc.
Next, identify some important people in their lives and esp. those that they have problems getting along with.  (Parents, teachers, siblings, friends, classmates, etc).  Have the patient choose one of these people to focus on (you will work your way through the list over several sessions).
Hold up a picture and ask, "What might make (fill in out of the important people) feel this way?"  "Tell me about a time that you think (important person) felt this way."  Go through a variety of emotions.
At the next session hold up the pictures and ask "Have you felt this way since our last visit?"  "Tell me about it."
Choose another important person and ask the questions above.  Do this until the patient has identified plausible reasons for several people in their lives.  Assist as needed so that the patient is successful.



Once the person is able to identify possible causes of the feelings talk about what the patient could to do change the situation for themselves to work through the negative emotions.  Then, talk about what they could do to help others change negative feelings in a particular situation.

Example 1:  SLP holds up a picture of a person who is sad and asks, "Why might your mom feel sad?"
Patient: "She lost her shoe."
SLP: What could you do to help her not feel so sad is she lost her shoe?"

Example 2:  SLP holds up a picture of a person who is angry and asks, "Why might your brother feel mad?"
Patient: "He didn't win his video game."
SLP: What could you do to help him to not feel so mad?

If the patient struggles to thing of an appropriate answer, discuss several appropriate and helpful responses.  Then, ask the patient which one(s) they would try.