Have you ever felt like something was missing in therapy, like you were talking about your struggles but not truly *feeling* through them? Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) takes a different approach—one that focuses on the emotions at the core of your experiences. By creating a safe and compassionate space to explore these feelings, AEDP doesn’t just help you cope; it helps you heal from the inside out. Whether you’re carrying shame, longing for connection, or simply looking for a deeper sense of emotional clarity, AEDP invites you to embrace your authentic self and uncover the transformative power of your emotions. Let’s dive into how this embodied, holistic, and evidence based approach can help you reconnect with clarity, courage, and confidence.

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but *really* loves you, then you become Real.”

— The Velveteen Rabbit

What Are Core Emotions?

In AEDP, core emotions are at the heart of the work. These are universal feelings we all experience, like:

Joy: That warm, happy feeling when something goes right.

Fear: The instinctual reaction to danger or uncertainty.

Anger: A signal that something’s not fair or your boundaries have been crossed.

Sadness: The heaviness of grief, longing, or disappointment.

Disgust: A reaction to something that feels wrong or off.

Excitement: The buzz of anticipation for something good.

Sexual Excitement: Sensations tied to desire and connection.

These emotions aren’t "good" or "bad"; they’re just part of being human. In AEDP, we explore these feelings together in a safe, supportive environment.

Why Core Emotions Matter

Core emotions are important because they hold the keys to understanding ourselves and finding healing. Here’s how they work in AEDP:

1. Being Real: Core emotions reflect your most genuine, authentic self. Therapy helps you connect with those feelings through any parts of your that might feel a sense of fear or embarrassment.

2. Finding Clarity: Did you know that core emotions are physically experienced? Each core emotion is connected with an adaptive need (like seeking protection or setting a boundary). Connecting deeply with our feelings fosters clarity around needs that can inform decision making.

3. Healing Wounds: Processing emotions in a safe space allows you to release pain, heal past hurts, and feel more whole. Given that “the body keeps the score”, connecting with somatic states of emotions can help them metabolize through the nervous system, freeing your body to more easily feel calm and “like yourself”.

4. Letting Go of Defences: Many of us develop habits to avoid feeling uncomfortable emotions. Some of these might include withdrawing or not sharing much, having difficulty making eye contact, holding back tears, or apologizing for your feelings. AEDP helps you gently work through those defences so you can feel more open to yourself and others with greater ease.

5. Building Emotional Strength: Learning to handle your emotions—both big and small—can make you more resilient when life gets tough. While AEDP typically doesn’t involve behavioural approaches like after session homework, it uses in the moment (otherwise known as experiential approaches) to create a more robust ability for your nervous system to emotionally regulate.

6. Connecting With Others: Sharing your emotions openly and honestly can deepen your relationships and bring you closer to the people who matter most. They are truly the glue to our sense of connection to those who matter to us most. By practising emotional vulnerability with an AEDP therapist, you can expand your capacity to not only connect with your authenticity, but to feel more comfortable in connective relationships.

Tackling Shame and Anxiety

Shame and anxiety are some of the toughest emotions to face, but they don’t have to hold you back. AEDP focuses on something called "undoing aloneness." That means creating a space where you feel deeply understood, accepted, and not alone in what you’re going through. With tools like visualization, somatic (body-based) work, and emotional processing, AEDP helps you gently explore and work through these emotions. Over time, shame and anxiety can lose their grip, replaced by a sense of self-compassion and calm.

Strengthening Positive Emotions

Healing isn’t just about working through the tough stuff—it’s also about finding and amplifying moments of joy, connection, and empowerment. In AEDP, these positive emotions are seen as essential for creating balance and fostering resilience. When you celebrate joy, excitement, and love in therapy, it reinforces the idea that you’re not defined by pain alone. Instead, these uplifting experiences become resources you can draw on when times are hard. By savoring and exploring positive emotions, you can rewire your brain to notice and appreciate the good, making it easier to find hope and strength in everyday life.

Moments of joy and connection in therapy also serve as reminders of what’s possible in your relationships outside of therapy. They show that vulnerability and authenticity can lead to fulfilling, meaningful bonds. Together, we’ll celebrate these moments, not as fleeting experiences, but as building blocks for a life filled with greater emotional richness and satisfaction.

Why AEDP Could Be Right for You

If you’ve tried traditional approaches like CBT or other therapies and felt something was missing, AEDP offers a fresh perspective. Instead of focusing just on your thoughts or behaviours, AEDP invites you to experience your emotions fully, unlocking deeper healing and transformation. Whether you’re struggling with shame, longing for connection, or carrying emotional wounds, AEDP offers a compassionate, supportive space to explore and grow.

In a nutshell

Therapy isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about discovering who you are and finding ways to thrive. At Amanda Neves Therapy, many of our therapists are trained in AEDP-informed therapy. We’re here to create a safe and supportive space where you can explore your emotions and build a brighter future more in line with your truest self. To book a consultation with an AEDP therapist on our team, head here to complete our matching process. We’d love to walk this journey with you!